I–II–IV–iii in E Major

Pattern: I – II – IV – iii Chords: E – F♯ – A – G♯m

Chord Breakdown

Numeral	Chord	Type	Function
I	E (details)	major	Tonic
II	F♯ (details)	major	Supertonic
IV	A (details)	major	Subdominant
iii	G♯m (details)	minor	Mediant

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through E (Tonic) → F♯ (Supertonic) → A (Subdominant) → G♯m (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

E F♯ A G♯m

More Progressions in E 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