I–ii–IV–V in E Major

Pattern: I – ii – IV – V   Chords: E – F♯m – A – B

Chord Breakdown

NumeralChordTypeFunction
I E (details) major Tonic
ii F♯m (details) minor Supertonic
IV A (details) major Subdominant
V B (details) major Dominant

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through E (Tonic) → F♯m (Supertonic) → A (Subdominant) → B (Dominant).

This progression creates a sense of escalating energy by stepping from the tonic through the supertonic and subdominant to the dominant. It provides a satisfying, gradual harmonic build popular in verse sections.

Song Examples

Chord Details

More Progressions in E Major