vi–ii–V–I in D Major

Pattern: vi – ii – V – I Chords: Bm – Em – A – D

Chord Breakdown

Numeral	Chord	Type	Function
vi	Bm (details)	minor	Submediant
ii	Em (details)	minor	Supertonic
V	A (details)	major	Dominant
I	D (details)	major	Tonic

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through Bm (Submediant) → Em (Supertonic) → A (Dominant) → D (Tonic).

A circle-of-fifths progression beginning on the submediant that drives convincingly to a perfect authentic cadence. This pattern appears throughout the Baroque and Classical periods as a standard harmonic sequence.

Song Examples

Prelude in C Major, BWV 846 — J.S. Bach
Canon in D — Johann Pachelbel

Chord Details

Bm Em A 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