Music Theory Tools

Chord Progression Generator

Generate chord progressions in any key, using major, minor, 7th, and extended chords. Perfect for songwriting, music production, and learning music theory.

Generated Progression

C - G - Am - F

Quick Summary

Use this Chord Progression Generator to instantly create musical chord sequences in any key. Supports major, minor, and 7th chords for songwriting, composing, and production.

How it works

The generator uses the selected key and basic diatonic chord formulas to produce common progressions.

I - ii - iii - IV - V - vi - vii°
Major:   I, ii, iii, IV, V, vi, vii°
Minor:   i, ii°, III, iv, v, VI, VII
7th chords: I7, ii7, iii7, IV7, V7, vi7, viiø7

Examples

Key Common Progression
C C - G - Am - F
G G - D - Em - C
D D - A - Bm - G
A A - E - F#m - D

Use Cases

  • Songwriting inspiration and chord ideas.
  • Backing track creation and arrangement planning.
  • Learning diatonic chords in any key.
  • Experimenting with major, minor, and 7th chord combinations.
🎵 Free Music Tool — No Signup Required

Chord Progression Generator

Pick a key, set a length, and instantly generate diatonic chord progressions — with major, minor, and 7th chords — for songwriting, guitar, piano, and music production.

Key of C: C – G – Am – F
Key of G: G – D – Em – C
Key of A: A – E – F♯m – D
D Minor: Dm – Gm – A – Bb
1

Select a Key

Choose any of the 12 chromatic keys, from C to B, including all sharp/flat pairs.

2

Set Progression Length

Choose 3, 4, 5, or 6 chords. Most songs use a 4-chord loop — a perfect starting point.

3

Generate & Use

Hit Generate. Copy the progression into your DAW, lead sheet, tab, or play it directly.

↑ Try the generator above

How to Use the Chord Progression Generator

  • Choose your key Select from all 12 chromatic keys. If you play guitar, C, G, D, A, and E are the most fret-friendly. For piano, C Major is the easiest to start with, but all keys work equally well here.
  • Set the progression length 3 chords work well for simple, repetitive loops (blues, folk). 4 chords are the most common in pop and rock. 5–6 chords suit jazz, R&B, and more complex arrangements.
  • Click "Generate New Progression" Each click produces a new diatonic chord sequence. The generator pulls from proven progressions — not random noise. Every result will be musically coherent in your chosen key.
  • Try multiple results Generate 3–5 variations. Progressions that feel "almost right" are often one chord swap away from being perfect. Take note of the Roman numeral pattern — e.g. I–V–vi–IV — and use it as your structural template.
  • Adapt to your instrument or DAW Use the chord names directly in a chord chart, enter them into a piano roll in Ableton, FL Studio, Logic Pro, or GarageBand, or play them as guitar tabs. The progression works everywhere — the tool does the theory.
Quick tip: If a generated progression sounds too happy, try switching your key to its minor parallel. C Major becomes C Minor — same root, completely different emotional weight.

What Does the Generator Produce?

Every chord progression this tool generates is built from diatonic chords — meaning all chords come from the same key's scale. This guarantees harmonic coherence. Here's what each result includes:

Output 1
Chord Sequence

A ready-to-use sequence of 3–6 chord names (e.g. C – Am – F – G). Each chord is named using standard notation — playable on guitar, piano, ukulele, or any chordal instrument immediately.

Output 2
Diatonic Chord Types

The generator draws from major, minor, and 7th chord vocabulary — including I, ii, iii, IV, V, vi, vii° for major keys and i, ii°, III, iv, v, VI, VII for minor keys — giving you real harmonic variety, not just triads.

Output 3
Progressions Based on Proven Patterns

Results follow established chord progression rules — like the I–V–vi–IV (used in hundreds of pop songs) and ii–V–I (the cornerstone of jazz). Each output is a tested harmonic formula in a new key.

Output 4
Instantly Transposable

Don't like the key? Switch the selector — the same progression structure (Roman numerals) appears in any key you choose. This makes the tool function as a live transposition reference for any chord pattern.

How the Generator Works: Diatonic Chord Theory

The chord progression generator uses diatonic chord formulas — the set of chords naturally produced by a musical key. Every major key generates exactly 7 chords, one built on each scale degree, following a fixed pattern of major, minor, and diminished quality.

Major Key Formula

In any major key, the chord qualities follow this pattern:

Degree Roman Numeral Chord Quality In C Major In G Major
1st I Major C G
2nd ii Minor Dm Am
3rd iii Minor Em Bm
4th IV Major F C
5th V Major (Dominant) G D
6th vi Minor (Relative) Am Em
7th vii° Diminished Bdim F♯dim

Minor Key Formula

Minor keys follow a different pattern, producing a darker, more tense harmonic palette:

Degree Roman Numeral Chord Quality In A Minor In D Minor
1st i Minor (Tonic) Am Dm
2nd ii° Diminished Bdim Edim
3rd III Major C F
4th iv Minor Dm Gm
5th v Minor Em Am
6th VI Major F B♭
7th VII Major G C

7th Chord Extensions

When the generator includes 7th chords, each diatonic triad gains a seventh interval, producing richer harmonic color. These are standard in jazz, neo-soul, R&B, and lo-fi production:

I7 (Major 7th)  ·  ii7 (Minor 7th)  ·  iii7 (Minor 7th)  ·  IV7 (Major 7th)  ·  V7 (Dominant 7th)  ·  vi7 (Minor 7th)  ·  viiø7 (Half-Diminished)

Why diatonic? Diatonic chord progressions guarantee that every chord fits the key — no jarring notes, no accidental dissonance. They're the foundation of every genre from classical and baroque to pop, jazz, and EDM.

The Most Common Chord Progressions (With Examples)

These are the progressions that appear in thousands of songs across every genre. Understanding them by their Roman numeral pattern — not just the chord names — lets you recognize and use them in any key.

Pattern Name / Genre In C Major In G Major Famous Songs
I – V – vi – IV Pop C – G – Am – F G – D – Em – C Let It Be, No Woman No Cry, 4 Chords (Axis of Awesome)
I – IV – V Blues / Rock C – F – G G – C – D La Bamba, Twist and Shout, dozens of blues standards
ii – V – I Jazz Dm – G – C Am – D – G Autumn Leaves, Fly Me to the Moon (and virtually all jazz standards)
i – VI – III – VII Minor / Emo Am – F – C – G Em – C – G – D Common in indie, emo, shoegaze, and midwest emo progressions
I – vi – IV – V Classic / Doo-wop C – Am – F – G G – Em – C – D Stand By Me, Earth Angel, many 1950s standards
i – VII – VI – VII EDM / House Am – G – F – G Em – D – C – D Common in house, EDM, and synth-driven productions
I – IV – vi – V Country / Folk C – F – Am – G G – C – Em – D Widespread in country, Americana, and indie folk
ii – IV – I – V Lo-fi / Neo-soul Dm – F – C – G Am – C – G – D Standard in lo-fi hip hop, neo-soul, and J-pop chord progressions
The 4-chord rule: The most famous 4-chord progressions — especially I–V–vi–IV — work in every key. Generating in D Major gives you D–A–Bm–G. In A Major: A–E–F♯m–D. Same emotional character, different key color.

Who Uses a Chord Progression Generator?

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Songwriters — Beat Creative Block

Staring at a blank page? Generate 5–6 progressions in your key. One will click. Use it as your verse, chorus, or bridge and build the song from there. Most professional songwriters treat chord generators as a brainstorming tool, not a crutch.

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Guitar Players — Learn Real Chord Patterns

Generate progressions in guitar-friendly keys (G, D, A, E, C) and practice transitioning between the chords. Each generated progression teaches you a real harmonic formula used in actual songs — far more valuable than isolated chord exercises.

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Piano Players — Explore Any Key

Use the generator to practice playing diatonic chord progressions in keys you're less comfortable with. Generate in F♯ Major or B♭ Minor — keys pianists often avoid — and use the output as a structured practice exercise with musical meaning.

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Producers — Drop Into Your DAW

Copy the chord names into Ableton Live, FL Studio, Logic Pro X, GarageBand, or Reaper's piano roll. The generator replaces the blank-project paralysis that stops producers from starting. It works for EDM, house, trap, R&B, lo-fi, and hip hop equally well.

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Music Theory Students — Visualize Diatonic Harmony

Change the key and watch how the same Roman numeral pattern produces different chord names. This is the fastest way to internalize why the ii–V–I works in jazz, why I–V–vi–IV dominates pop, and how minor keys create emotional contrast.

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Backing Track Creation

Generate a 4-chord loop, load it into your DAW, and add rhythm instruments over it. You now have a complete harmonic backing track for practice, improvisation, or recording. Add a bass line following the chord roots and a drum pattern — song structure complete.

Chord Progressions by Genre: A Quick Reference

Different genres favor different harmonic patterns. This reference covers the most common progressions per genre — all of which this online chord progression generator can produce.

Genre Typical Pattern Key Characteristics Common Keys
Blues I – IV – V 12-bar structure, dominant 7th chords A, E, G, C
Jazz ii7 – V7 – Imaj7 Extended chords, ii–V–I movements, substitutions All keys equally
Pop I – V – vi – IV Simple, cyclical, works in all major keys C, G, D, A, E
Rock I – IV – V or i – VII – VI Power chords, pentatonic harmony, strong V→I E, A, G, D
R&B / Neo-soul Imaj7 – IVmaj7 – iii7 – vi7 Extended chords, smooth voice leading, groove F, B♭, E♭, A♭
Lo-fi Hip Hop ii7 – V7 – Imaj7 – vi7 Jazz-derived, unresolved feel, sampled textures C, F, B♭, E♭
EDM / House i – VII – VI – VII Minor keys, looping 4–8 bar cycles, synth pads A minor, D minor, G minor
Country I – IV – V or I – IV – vi – V Simple triads, strong root movement, capo use G, D, A, C
Indie / Shoegaze I – III – IV or i – VI – III – VII Ambiguous tonality, layered textures, borrowed chords C, G, F, D minor
Classical / Baroque I – IV – V – I or I – ii – V – I Voice leading, counterpoint, cadences All major and minor keys
Trap, emo, and J-pop: Trap progressions often use minor key loops with chromatic bass lines. Midwest emo favors open-voiced major chords with unexpected minor moves. J-pop (and K-pop) frequently uses the IV → V → iii → vi movement (the "royal road progression" in Japanese music theory) for its distinctively emotional sound.

How Many Chords Should a Chord Progression Have?

There's no fixed rule, but chord count shapes the feel of your music significantly. Here's how the options in this generator translate to real musical outcomes:

Length Best For Feel Generator Setting
2 chords Hypnotic loops, drone-based music Minimal, repetitive, trance-inducing Use 3-chord and ignore last chord
3 chords Blues, folk, country, punk Direct, energetic, easy to learn 3 Chords setting
4 chords Pop, rock, R&B, hip hop, EDM Balanced, complete loop, most versatile 4 Chords setting (default)
5–6 chords Jazz, neo-soul, classical, complex pop Richer harmony, more movement, sophisticated 5 or 6 Chords setting
8 chords Jazz standards, classical sequences Full harmonic journey, two-phrase structure Generate two 4-chord progressions, combine

The most famous 4-chord progressions dominate popular music for a reason: four chords create a complete harmonic cycle that loops naturally. The ear is satisfied by the return to the tonic (I chord) every 4 bars without feeling truncated (3 chords) or overloaded (6+ chords).

How to Create a Chord Progression (Manual Method)

Want to go beyond generated results and build your own progressions? Here's the fastest approach using diatonic chord theory:

  • Write out your key's 7 diatonic chords Use the formula tables above. In G Major: G, Am, Bm, C, D, Em, F♯dim. These are your only building blocks — every note in every chord belongs to the G Major scale.
  • Start on the I chord (or vi for minor feel) Begin your progression on the tonic (G in G Major) for stability, or on the vi chord (Em) for a minor, introspective feel that still belongs to the major key.
  • Build tension by moving to IV or V After your opening chord, move to C (IV) for a warm, open departure, or D (V) for stronger tension. The further you move from I, the more tension you create.
  • Resolve back to I — or subvert the expectation End on I for resolution (V → I is the strongest). Or end on V or IV and loop back to the beginning — the progression then creates its own circular momentum, which is how most pop songs work.
  • Test it against the generator If your manually-built progression sounds "off," compare it to what the generator produces in the same key. The difference often reveals a voice-leading issue or an unexpected chord quality. Use the generator as a reference, not a replacement for your ear.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is a chord progression?
    A chord progression is a sequence of chords played in a cyclical or linear pattern that forms the harmonic backbone of a piece of music. Most progressions use 3–6 chords drawn from the same key, creating a sense of movement between tension and resolution. They're the foundation of every genre — from blues and jazz to pop and EDM.
  • How many chords are in a chord progression?
    Most chord progressions use between 3 and 6 chords. The 4-chord progression is the most common in pop and rock music. Simple 3-chord progressions (I–IV–V) power blues and folk. Jazz and neo-soul progressions often use 5–8 chords with extended chord types. There's no fixed limit — even a 2-chord loop can be a valid progression.
  • What makes a good chord progression?
    A good chord progression creates tension and resolution in a way that serves the emotion you're targeting. It typically starts on the tonic (I), moves through subdominant (IV) or relative minor (vi) chords, builds tension on the dominant (V), and resolves. What makes it "good" is context — the same progression sounds triumphant at 130 BPM and melancholic at 60 BPM with minor voicings.
  • What is a diatonic chord progression?
    A diatonic chord progression uses only chords that belong to the key of the piece — no borrowed or chromatic chords. Every note in every chord comes from the same scale. Most popular music is built on diatonic progressions because they sound naturally coherent. This generator produces diatonic progressions by default.
  • Can I use this for guitar chord progressions?
    Yes. Select a guitar-friendly key (G, D, A, E, or C for open chord shapes) and generate a progression. Each chord name in the output corresponds directly to a standard guitar chord. For capo-based playing, use the Key Transposition Calculator to find equivalent open-chord positions in any target key.
  • Can I use this for piano chord progressions?
    Yes. The chord names output directly maps to piano voicings. Start in C Major or G Major for the most intuitive fingering. As you get comfortable, generate in keys like F, B♭, or E♭ — common in R&B and jazz — to expand your keyboard fluency while always having musically meaningful content to practice with.
  • What is the most common 4-chord progression?
    The I–V–vi–IV progression is by far the most common 4-chord pattern in popular music. In C Major it's C–G–Am–F; in G Major it's G–D–Em–C. It's the basis of hundreds of hit songs in pop, rock, and country. The Axis of Awesome's "4 Chords" video demonstrates this by playing dozens of famous songs using this single pattern.
  • How do I use a generated chord progression in Ableton, FL Studio, or Logic Pro?
    Generate a progression and note the chord names. Open a MIDI track in your DAW, select a piano or synthesizer instrument, and enter each chord manually in the piano roll. Alternatively, use a chord input plugin (like Scaler 3 or Hookpad) that accepts chord names directly. Each chord typically spans 1–2 bars at the start. Adjust durations to match your song's feel.
  • What is the ii–V–I chord progression?
    The ii–V–I is the foundational chord progression in jazz. In C Major: Dm7–G7–Cmaj7. The ii chord (minor 7th) creates mild tension, the V chord (dominant 7th) creates strong tension, and the I chord (major 7th) resolves it. Nearly every jazz standard is built on a series of ii–V–I movements in different keys. Use the 3-chord setting in this generator to explore it in all 12 keys.
  • Can I generate a chord progression based on a mood?
    Mood in chord progressions is driven primarily by major vs. minor key and chord choice. Major keys (C, G, D) with I–V–vi–IV patterns feel bright and uplifting. Minor keys (A minor, D minor, E minor) with i–VII–VI–VII patterns feel dark and introspective. Slower harmonic rhythm (chords held longer) feels more emotional; faster rhythm feels energetic. Use the key selector and experiment with both major and minor results to find the mood you need.
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