iii–♭III–ii–♭II–I in A Major

Pattern: iii – ♭III – ii – ♭II – I Chords: C♯m – C – Bm – B♭ – A

Chord Breakdown

Numeral	Chord	Type	Function
iii	C♯m (details)	minor	Mediant
♭III	C (details)	major	Mediant
ii	Bm (details)	minor	Supertonic
♭II	B♭ (details)	major	Supertonic
I	A (details)	major	Tonic

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through C♯m (Mediant) → C (Mediant) → Bm (Supertonic) → B♭ (Supertonic) → A (Tonic).

A fully chromatic descending bass line from iii to I, alternating between diatonic and borrowed chords. This creates a sophisticated, tension-filled descent that is a hallmark of modern jazz harmony and Coltrane-era composition.

Song Examples

Giant Steps — John Coltrane
26-2 — John Coltrane

Chord Details

C♯m C Bm B♭ 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