I–IV–vii–iii–vi–ii–V–I in G Major

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

Chord Breakdown

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

Harmonic Analysis

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

G C F♯m Bm Em Am D

More Progressions in G 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