Free Tool
Chord Progression Generator
Pick chords from the palette, set your tempo, and loop your progression. Free, no sign-up needed.
Ready to build your full song? Move these chords into a verse or chorus, add lyrics and a drum pattern, and record vocals, all in one place.
No credit card · works in your browser · desktop & mobile
How LandChords goes beyond a chord generator
This tool is a scratchpad. LandChords is the whole song. Here's what changes when you move your progression into the app:
- Song sections: assign chords to a named section (Verse, Chorus, Pre-Chorus, Bridge). Different sections can have different progressions, keys, and time signatures.
- Lyrics over chords: in the lyric editor, each word snaps to the chord it falls on, so you can see and hear how phrasing lines up with harmony.
- AI chord suggestions: an AI chord assistant fills in or extends progressions based on the key, scale, and mood you've set, without you having to know the theory.
- Drum patterns: each section has a 16-step drum machine. Set the kick, snare, and hi-hat to feel how the groove fits the chords.
- Vocal recording: record takes directly into a section. The chord loop plays back as you sing, so you're recording against the actual progression, not a click track alone.
- Full undo history, transpose, and cloud save: changes are reversible, the whole song can be transposed in one click, and everything is saved to your account.
How to use this chord progression generator
Choose a key, the tonal center of your song. C Major is a great starting point; try A Minor for a darker feel. Set your BPM to match the tempo you have in mind.
Click any chord in the palette to add it to your progression (up to 8 chords). Hit Generate to start from a genre-matched preset, then tweak it: add, remove, or reorder chords freely. Hit Loop to hear it play continuously while you adjust.
Chord progressions by genre
Pop: The I–V–vi–IV ("four chords") powers thousands of hits. The tension between V and vi keeps listeners engaged, and the return to I feels inevitable. It works in every key and tempo.
Jazz: The ii–V–I turnaround is jazz harmony's backbone. The ii adds color, the V creates strong pull, and the I resolves with authority. It's equally at home in Soul and R&B.
Blues & Rock: The I–IV–V shuffle drives everything from classic blues to garage rock. Simple, driving, and immediately recognizable. The three chords that launched a thousand bands.
Folk & Indie: Songwriter loops like I–IV–ii–V favor gentle movement over raw energy. The ii chord adds a melancholy warmth that folk and indie writers return to again and again.
What makes a good chord progression?
The best progressions balance tension and resolution. The V chord (dominant) creates tension that pulls toward the I (tonic). Going I → V → vi → IV works because it delays that resolution through the vi, giving the listener a small emotional detour before coming home.
Voice leading also matters: chords that share notes sound smoother together. C and Am share two notes (E and G), which is why the I–vi movement feels so natural and is used everywhere from ballads to jazz.
Don't overlook the minor scale. Starting on vi in major (or i in natural minor) gives your progression a darker feel without leaving the key. Many "sad" songs are just major-key progressions shifted to start on the vi chord.
Frequently asked questions
What is a chord progression?
A chord progression is a sequence of chords played in order. They form the harmonic backbone of a song, the platform that melody and lyrics sit on top of. Most progressions loop, repeating through verses and choruses.
How many chords should a progression have?
Most pop and rock progressions use 3–4 chords per loop. Jazz and classical ones can be longer, but even complex songs often repeat a short core loop. Four chords is the sweet spot between variety and memorability.
Can I use these progressions in my own songs?
Yes. Chord progressions cannot be copyrighted. Only specific melodies, lyrics, and arrangements are protected. The I–V–vi–IV pattern appears in thousands of published songs. You're free to use any progression you generate here.
How do I turn a progression into a full song?
Open it in LandChords, a free songwriting app that lets you add chords to sections, write lyrics with rhyme and thesaurus tools, build a drum pattern, and record vocals. Everything in one place, in your browser.