I–iii–vi–V in C Major

Pattern: I – iii – vi – V Chords: C – Em – Am – G

Chord Breakdown

Numeral	Chord	Type	Function
I	C (details)	major	Tonic
iii	Em (details)	minor	Mediant
vi	Am (details)	minor	Submediant
V	G (details)	major	Dominant

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through C (Tonic) → Em (Mediant) → Am (Submediant) → G (Dominant).

The I–iii–vi–V progression moves through the mediant and submediant before landing on the dominant, creating a turnaround with a ♭ittersweet, wandering quality. The iii chord adds an unusual harmonic color that distinguishes it from more common progressions. This pattern appears in jazz standards and art pop.

Song Examples

Close to You — The Carpenters
Here, There and Everywhere — The Beatles

Chord Details

C Em Am G

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