I–iii–vi–IV in C Major

Pattern: I – iii – vi – IV Chords: C – Em – Am – F

Chord Breakdown

Numeral	Chord	Type	Function
I	C (details)	major	Tonic
iii	Em (details)	minor	Mediant
vi	Am (details)	minor	Submediant
IV	F (details)	major	Subdominant

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through C (Tonic) → Em (Mediant) → Am (Submediant) → F (Subdominant).

This progression moves by descending thirds from I to iii to vi, then resolves to IV. The smooth voice leading between chords that share common tones creates a lush, flowing harmonic texture.

Song Examples

Creep — Radiohead
Stay with Me — Sam Smith

Chord Details

C Em Am 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