I–IV–vii–iii–vi–ii–V–I in A Major

Pattern: I – IV – vii – iii – vi – ii – V – I Chords: A – D – G♯m – C♯m – F♯m – Bm – E – A

Chord Breakdown

Numeral	Chord	Type	Function
I	A (details)	major	Tonic
IV	D (details)	major	Subdominant
vii	G♯m (details)	minor	Subtonic
iii	C♯m (details)	minor	Mediant
vi	F♯m (details)	minor	Submediant
ii	Bm (details)	minor	Supertonic
V	E (details)	major	Dominant
I	A (details)	major	Tonic

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through A (Tonic) → D (Subdominant) → G♯m (Subtonic) → C♯m (Mediant) → F♯m (Submediant) → Bm (Supertonic) → E (Dominant) → A (Tonic).

The full diatonic circle of fifths traversing every scale degree before arriving at the tonic. Baroque composers used this exhaustive harmonic sequence in sequential passages, creating a powerful sense of inevitability and tonal gravity.

Song Examples

Prelude in C Major, BWV 846 — J.S. Bach
Chaconne in D minor — J.S. Bach

Chord Details

A D G♯m C♯m F♯m Bm E

More Progressions in A 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