I–ii–iii–IV–V in A Major

Pattern: I – ii – iii – IV – V Chords: A – Bm – C♯m – D – E

Chord Breakdown

Numeral	Chord	Type	Function
I	A (details)	major	Tonic
ii	Bm (details)	minor	Supertonic
iii	C♯m (details)	minor	Mediant
IV	D (details)	major	Subdominant
V	E (details)	major	Dominant

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through A (Tonic) → Bm (Supertonic) → C♯m (Mediant) → D (Subdominant) → E (Dominant).

A stepwise ascending motion through the first five diatonic chords. The rising bass line creates a strong sense of building energy and forward momentum, often used in intros and verses.

Song Examples

Joy Spring — Clifford Brown
Solar — Miles Davis

Chord Details

A Bm C♯m D E

More Progressions in A 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