I–IV–vii–iii–vi–ii–V–I in E Major

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

Chord Breakdown

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

Harmonic Analysis

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

E A D♯m G♯m C♯m F♯m B

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