iii–♭III–ii–♭II–I in D Major

Pattern: iii – ♭III – ii – ♭II – I Chords: F♯m – F – Em – E♭ – D

Chord Breakdown

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

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through F♯m (Mediant) → F (Mediant) → Em (Supertonic) → E♭ (Supertonic) → D (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

F♯m F Em E♭ D

More Progressions in D 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