V–IV–I in A Major

Pattern: V – IV – I Chords: E – D – A

Chord Breakdown

Numeral	Chord	Type	Function
V	E (details)	major	Dominant
IV	D (details)	major	Subdominant
I	A (details)	major	Tonic

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through E (Dominant) → D (Subdominant) → A (Tonic).

The classic blues turnaround descends from V through IV to I. This reverse cadence is a signature of blues music, appearing at the end of 12-bar phrases to cycle the form back to the beginning.

Song Examples

Pride and Joy — Stevie Ray Vaughan
Crossroads — Cream

Chord Details

E D A

More Progressions in A 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