iii–vi–ii–V in D Major

Pattern: iii – vi – ii – V Chords: F♯m – Bm – Em – A

Chord Breakdown

Numeral	Chord	Type	Function
iii	F♯m (details)	minor	Mediant
vi	Bm (details)	minor	Submediant
ii	Em (details)	minor	Supertonic
V	A (details)	major	Dominant

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through F♯m (Mediant) → Bm (Submediant) → Em (Supertonic) → A (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

F♯m Bm Em A

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