I–II–IV–iii in C Major

Pattern: I – II – IV – iii Chords: C – D – F – Em

Chord Breakdown

Numeral	Chord	Type	Function
I	C (details)	major	Tonic
II	D (details)	major	Supertonic
IV	F (details)	major	Subdominant
iii	Em (details)	minor	Mediant

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through C (Tonic) → D (Supertonic) → F (Subdominant) → Em (Mediant).

A progression that introduces a major II chord borrowed from the Lydian mode, giving the harmony a bright, lifted quality. The resolution to IV and then iii provides an unexpected but satisfying melodic path.

Song Examples

Inner Urge — Joe Henderson
Maiden Voyage — Herbie Hancock

Chord Details

C D F Em

More Progressions in C Major

I–IV–V–I I–V–vi–IV I–vi–IV–V ii–V–I I–IV–V I–♭VII–IV vi–IV–I–V I–V–vi–iii–IV–I–IV–V I–IV I–V IV–V IV–I