I–IV–vii–iii–vi–ii–V–I in C Major

Pattern: I – IV – vii – iii – vi – ii – V – I Chords: C – F – Bm – Em – Am – Dm – G – C

Chord Breakdown

Numeral	Chord	Type	Function
I	C (details)	major	Tonic
IV	F (details)	major	Subdominant
vii	Bm (details)	minor	Subtonic
iii	Em (details)	minor	Mediant
vi	Am (details)	minor	Submediant
ii	Dm (details)	minor	Supertonic
V	G (details)	major	Dominant
I	C (details)	major	Tonic

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through C (Tonic) → F (Subdominant) → Bm (Subtonic) → Em (Mediant) → Am (Submediant) → Dm (Supertonic) → G (Dominant) → C (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

C F Bm Em Am Dm G

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