V–IV–I–vi in A Major

Pattern: V – IV – I – vi Chords: E – D – A – F♯m

Chord Breakdown

Numeral	Chord	Type	Function
V	E (details)	major	Dominant
IV	D (details)	major	Subdominant
I	A (details)	major	Tonic
vi	F♯m (details)	minor	Submediant

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through E (Dominant) → D (Subdominant) → A (Tonic) → F♯m (Submediant).

A turnaround played in reverse order that starts on the dominant and descends through the subdominant to the tonic. The vi chord at the end sets up a seamless repeat back to V.

Song Examples

Cantaloupe Island — Herbie Hancock
Watermelon Man — Herbie Hancock

Chord Details

E D A F♯m

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