iii–♭III–ii–♭II–I in C Major

Pattern: iii – ♭III – ii – ♭II – I Chords: Em – E♭ – Dm – D♭ – C

Chord Breakdown

Numeral	Chord	Type	Function
iii	Em (details)	minor	Mediant
♭III	E♭ (details)	major	Mediant
ii	Dm (details)	minor	Supertonic
♭II	D♭ (details)	major	Supertonic
I	C (details)	major	Tonic

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through Em (Mediant) → E♭ (Mediant) → Dm (Supertonic) → D♭ (Supertonic) → C (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

Em E♭ Dm D♭ C

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