vi–V–IV–III in E Minor

Pattern: vi – V – IV – III Chords: C♯m – B – A – G♯

Chord Breakdown

Numeral	Chord	Type	Function
vi	C♯m (details)	minor	Submediant
V	B (details)	major	Dominant
IV	A (details)	major	Subdominant
III	G♯ (details)	major	Mediant

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through C♯m (Submediant) → B (Dominant) → A (Subdominant) → G♯ (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

C♯m B A G♯

More Progressions in E 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