i–♭III–IV in C♯ Minor

Pattern: i – ♭III – IV   Chords: C♯m – E – F♯

Chord Breakdown

NumeralChordTypeFunction
i C♯m (details) minor Tonic
♭III E (details) major Mediant
IV F♯ (details) major Subdominant

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through C♯m (Tonic) → E (Mediant) → F♯ (Subdominant).

The i–♭III–IV progression rises stepwise from the minor tonic through the relative major to a Dorian IV chord. The major IV gives this minor progression an unexpectedly bright, hopeful quality. It is used extensively in funk, R&B, and modal rock.

Song Examples

Chord Details

More Progressions in C♯ Minor