I–IV–vii–iii–vi–ii–V–I in D Major

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

Chord Breakdown

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

Harmonic Analysis

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

D G C♯m F♯m Bm Em A

More Progressions in D 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