How to use the chord progression generator
- Pick the key: a note from C to B, with sharps and flats.
- Choose Major key or Minor key. The Roman numerals use the major scale in a major key and the natural minor scale in a minor key.
- Type a progression in Roman numerals separated by spaces, or press one of the buttons for a common choice such as I V vi IV, ii V I or the 12-bar blues. A button also sets the major or minor key it suits.
- Read the chord names, the notes of each chord and the numerals they came from.
Formula
Roman numeral = scale degree: I is the 1st note of the scale, V the 5th, and so on
A capital numeral is a major chord and a lowercase numeral a minor chord
o after a numeral is diminished, + is augmented, 7 and maj7 add a seventh, b or # before it lowers or raises the root
Chord notes are stacked thirds above the root, spelled with the right letter names
The chord roots come from the scale of the key, so I V vi IV in C gives C G Am F. A flat sign before a numeral lowers the root by a half step, as in bVII.
I V vi IV in several keys
In C major, I V vi IV is C, G, Am and F, with the notes C E G, G B D, A C E and F A C. In D major, ii V I is Em, A and D, where the A chord is A C# E. In Eb major, I V vi IV is Eb, Bb, Cm and Ab. In A minor, i VI III VII is Am, F, C and G.
A seventh-chord line in G major, Imaj7 ii7 V7, gives Gmaj7, Am7 and D7, with D7 spelled D F# A C. In C major, I bVII IV I is C, Bb, F and C. The 12-bar blues in A is A A A A D D A A E D A E.
What Roman numerals buy you
A progression written in numerals works in every key. Writing I V vi IV instead of C G Am F means a guitarist, a pianist and a singer can each play it in the key that suits them, and songs in different keys can be compared by their shapes. Nearly all of pop, folk and blues is built from a handful of these shapes, which is why the same progression shows up in so many songs.
To change a finished chord chart from one key to another, use the Chord Transposer. To see the notes and chords of a whole scale, the Musical Scale Generator lists them.
A starting point, not a rule
The names this page gives are the plain chord for each numeral. Players often swap in a seventh, borrow a chord from another key or replace the minor v with a major V in a minor song for a stronger pull. Voicing, rhythm and the melody on top decide how it sounds. Try a few presets, listen, and adjust. If you write the song down, Sheet Music Paper prints blank staves, and the Circle of Fifths shows how the keys relate.
Assumptions and limits
- The numerals follow the major scale in a major key and the natural minor scale in a minor key.
- Chord names use the plain triad or seventh that the numeral spells, and no inversions.
- You can enter up to 32 chords in your own progression.
- The page plays no sound, and nothing you type is sent anywhere.
Frequently asked questions
What does I V vi IV mean?
It is a progression built on the 1st, 5th, 6th and 4th notes of a major scale. In C major that is C, G, Am and F. Capital numerals are major chords and lowercase numerals are minor.
How do I enter my own progression?
Type Roman numerals into the progression box, separated by spaces, commas or hyphens. Use a lowercase numeral for a minor chord, o for diminished, 7 or maj7 for sevenths and b or # in front for a lowered or raised root.
Why are the minor key chords different from the major ones?
In a minor key the numerals count from the natural minor scale, where the 3rd, 6th and 7th notes are lower. So III in A minor is C and VII is G.
What is the 12-bar blues?
A 12-bar form with the pattern I I I I IV IV I I V IV I V, often with the I, IV and V played as seventh chords. The preset lists the plain chords.