I–ii–iii–IV in E Major

Pattern: I – ii – iii – IV   Chords: E – F♯m – G♯m – A

Chord Breakdown

NumeralChordTypeFunction
I E (details) major Tonic
ii F♯m (details) minor Supertonic
iii G♯m (details) minor Mediant
IV A (details) major Subdominant

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through E (Tonic) → F♯m (Supertonic) → G♯m (Mediant) → A (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

Chord Details

More Progressions in E Major