iii–vi–ii–V in C Major

Pattern: iii – vi – ii – V Chords: Em – Am – Dm – G

Chord Breakdown

Numeral	Chord	Type	Function
iii	Em (details)	minor	Mediant
vi	Am (details)	minor	Submediant
ii	Dm (details)	minor	Supertonic
V	G (details)	major	Dominant

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through Em (Mediant) → Am (Submediant) → Dm (Supertonic) → G (Dominant).

A descending circle-of-fifths movement through diatonic chords that creates strong harmonic momentum. Widely used in jazz standards as a turnaround or as the harmonic engine for entire sections.

Song Examples

Fly Me to the Moon — Bart Howard
Autumn Leaves — Joseph Kosma

Chord Details

Em Am Dm G

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