I–iii–vi–ii–V–I in C Major

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

Chord Breakdown

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

Harmonic Analysis

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

A progression combining descending-third motion (I–iii–vi) with circle-of-fifths movement (vi–ii–V–I), creating an elegant and inevitable path back to the tonic. This hybrid sequence appears in Baroque ground bass patterns and Classical development sections.

Song Examples

Goldberg Variations, BWV 988 — J.S. Bach
Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major — J.S. Bach

Chord Details

C Em Am Dm 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