BeatKey / Chord Finder / Progression Generator
Chord Progression Generator
Pick a key, scale, and genre style. Get working chord progressions instantly.
Free, no account, no theory knowledge needed.
Progression in C Major (Ionian)
The most common pop progression. Used in thousands of hits.
All Diatonic Chords in C Major
These are the seven chords that naturally belong to this key. Any combination of these chords will sound harmonious together.
How to Use a Chord Progression Generator
Match the key to your sample or melodic idea. If your sample is in A minor, select A and Natural Minor. Use BeatKey to detect the key of any audio file.
Major sounds bright and uplifting. Natural Minor sounds dark and emotional. Dorian is minor with a brighter 6th - perfect for hip-hop and funk. Mixolydian is major with a flat 7 - common in blues and rock.
Genre presets give you proven chord sequences used in real music. The I-V-vi-IV is in thousands of pop songs. The i-VII-VI-VII loop is the foundation of sample-based hip-hop. Pick what fits your vibe.
Copy the chord names and enter them in your piano roll. A major chord uses the 1st, 3rd, and 5th notes of its major scale. A minor chord uses the 1st, flat 3rd, and 5th. Assign a pad or keys VST and loop.
Chord Progressions by Genre
| Genre | Common Progression | In C / Am | Feel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pop | I - V - vi - IV | C - G - Am - F | Uplifting, anthemic |
| Hip-Hop | i - VII - VI - VII | Am - G - F - G | Dark, looping, moody |
| Lo-Fi | ii - V - I - VI | Dm - G - C - Am | Relaxed, jazzy |
| House | i - III - VII - VI | Am - C - G - F | Hypnotic, driving |
| R&B | I - vi - ii - V | C - Am - Dm - G | Smooth, sophisticated |
| Jazz | ii - V - I | Dm - G - C | Sophisticated, resolved |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a chord progression generator? +
A chord progression generator suggests sequences of chords that work together in a musical key. You pick the key and scale, and the tool builds diatonic chord options, organized by genre style. This helps producers and songwriters quickly find progressions without needing to know music theory in depth.
What chord progressions work for hip-hop beats? +
The most common hip-hop progressions are minor-based. The i-VII-VI-VII soul loop (repeating 4 chords endlessly) is the foundation of sample-based hip-hop. The i-VI-III-VII movement adds neo-soul sophistication. In A minor: Am - G - F - G for the soul loop, or Am - F - C - G for the R&B movement. Select "Hip-Hop" in the genre presets above to build these in any key.
What is the most common chord progression? +
The I-V-vi-IV progression (in C major: C - G - Am - F) is the most used chord progression in pop music. It appears in hundreds of chart-topping songs across pop, rock, and country. The ii-V-I is the foundation of jazz. The i-VII-VI-VII minor loop is the most common in hip-hop and R&B.
How do I use a chord progression in my DAW? +
Once you have your chord progression, enter each chord into your piano roll. For a major chord (e.g., C), play C, E, and G together. For a minor chord (e.g., Am), play A, C, and E together. Use the root note on beat 1 and hold for 1-4 bars depending on your genre. Assign a piano, pad, or keys VST as the instrument and loop the progression.