I–ii–iii–IV in C Major

Pattern: I – ii – iii – IV Chords: C – Dm – Em – F

Chord Breakdown

Numeral	Chord	Type	Function
I	C (details)	major	Tonic
ii	Dm (details)	minor	Supertonic
iii	Em (details)	minor	Mediant
IV	F (details)	major	Subdominant

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through C (Tonic) → Dm (Supertonic) → Em (Mediant) → F (Subdominant).

This stepwise ascending progression walks up the scale from I through ii and iii to IV. The steady upward motion creates a sense of building anticipation and emotional lift.

Song Examples

Here, There and Everywhere — The Beatles
More Than Words — Extreme

Chord Details

C Dm Em F

More Progressions in C 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