i–V in E Minor

Pattern: i – V Chords: Em – B

Chord Breakdown

Numeral	Chord	Type	Function
i	Em (details)	minor	Tonic
V	B (details)	major	Dominant

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through Em (Tonic) → B (Dominant).

The i–V progression is the most fundamental tension-resolution pair in minor-key harmony. The contrast between the dark minor tonic and the bright major dominant creates a stark emotional push and pull. This two-chord oscillation has been the engine of dramatic music from Bach to modern film scores.

Song Examples

Toccata and Fugue in D minor, J.S. Bach
Paint It Black, The Rolling Stones

Chord Details

Em B

More Progressions in E Minor

i–♭VII–♭VI–V i–iv–v vi–IV–I–V i–iv–i–V iv–iv–i–V i–iv–i i–iv–V vi–V–IV–III i–♭VII i–♭III–♭VII i–♭VII–IV i–♭VII–♭VI