I–IV–V–IV in E Major

Pattern: I – IV – V – IV   Chords: E – A – B – A

Chord Breakdown

NumeralChordTypeFunction
I E (details) major Tonic
IV A (details) major Subdominant
V B (details) major Dominant
IV A (details) major Subdominant

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through E (Tonic) → A (Subdominant) → B (Dominant) → A (Subdominant).

This four-bar loop cycles through the three primary blues chords in a symmetrical pattern. The ascending motion to V and descent back to IV creates a rocking, cyclical groove used extensively in blues rock.

Song Examples

Chord Details

More Progressions in E Major