vi–V–IV–III in A Minor

Pattern: vi – V – IV – III Chords: F♯m – E – D – C♯

Chord Breakdown

Numeral	Chord	Type	Function
vi	F♯m (details)	minor	Submediant
V	E (details)	major	Dominant
IV	D (details)	major	Subdominant
III	C♯ (details)	major	Mediant

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through F♯m (Submediant) → E (Dominant) → D (Subdominant) → C♯ (Mediant).

A descending tetrachord progression rooted in the Phrygian mode, often called the Andalusian cadence. Its characteristic stepwise bass descent from the tonic of the relative minor creates a dramatic, Spanish-inflected sound used across Baroque and Classical traditions.

Song Examples

Violin Concerto in A minor, BWV 1041 — J.S. Bach
Recuerdos de la Alhambra — Francisco Tarrega

Chord Details

F♯m E D C♯

More Progressions in A Minor

i–♭VII–♭VI–V i–iv–v vi–IV–I–V i–iv–i–V iv–iv–i–V i–iv–i i–iv–V i–♭VII i–♭III–♭VII i–♭VII–IV i–♭VII–♭VI i–♭III–♭VII–IV