Pop Chord Progression Generator

Pop Chord Progression Generator Instructions

Use the following controls to generate a chord progression based on your preferences:

1. Select a Key Letter
   Choose the key for your chord progression. You can select from major keys like C, D, E, and more. If you’re not sure, feel free to pick any key you like!
2. Select a Key Type
   Choose whether you want the progression to be in Major or Minor.
   • Major keys sound bright and happy.
   • Minor keys have a more somber or melancholic tone.
3. Number of Chords
   Use the dropdown to select how many chords you want in your progression. The number can range from 1 to 8. The default is 4, but feel free to experiment with more or fewer chords!
4. Style (Optional)
   Check the Make it Pop box to generate a chord progression with popular pop music patterns.
5. Generate Progression
   Once you’ve made your selections click Generate to see your chord progression! It will appear in the box on the right.
6. Play the Progression
   After generating the progression, click Play to hear your chord progression! (This will only appear once you click Generate).
7. Regenerate Progressions
   Want to try a different progression? Simply click Generate again as many times as you like to explore new harmonic possibilities! Feel free to experiment with different keys, types, and chord numbers each time.

Chords in Each Key

How The Pop Chord Progression Generator Works

The Pop Chord Progression Generator is a dynamic web-based tool that generates chord progressions based on user-defined parameters, including key, scale type (major or minor), number of chords, and an optional pop style influence. The tool relies on a series of rules rooted in music theory, primarily focused on chord function and harmonic relationships within each scale. The Pop Chord Progression Generator can help song writers and audio professionals with writers block, and get going on a new idea quickly. Below is a detailed explanation of how the Pop Chord Progression Generator works:

Pop Chord Progression Generator Technical Description

1. Input and Selection

The user provides four main inputs:

• Key: The user selects one of the 12 musical keys (C, C#, D, D#, E, F, F#, G, G#, A, A#, B).
• Scale Type: The user selects either Major or Minor, which determines the mode used for the progression.
• Number of Chords: The user selects how many chords should be generated, ranging from 1 to 8.
• Pop Style Option: If selected, this influences the chord progression to follow popular, commonly used sequences in pop music (e.g., I-V-vi-IV).

2. Chord Calculation

Once the user provides input, the Pop Chord Progression Generator calculates the available chords in the selected key and scale. The generator references a predefined chord map that lists all chords in the major and minor scales for each key. Here’s how it works for each scale:

• Major Scale Chords:
  • The chords are built on the 7th scale degree, using only the notes within the selected key. The seven chords are as follows:
    • I: Tonic (root)
    • ii: Supertonic
    • iii: Mediant
    • IV: Subdominant
    • V: Dominant
    • vi: Submediant
    • vii°: Leading tone (diminished)
  The specific chords (e.g., C, Dm, Em) are based on the notes in the selected key.
• Minor Scale Chords:
  • The chords are derived from the natural minor scale, which differs from the major scale in terms of interval structure, resulting in different harmonic functions:
    • i: Tonic (root)
    • ii°: Supertonic (diminished)
    • III: Mediant
    • iv: Subdominant
    • v: Dominant (minor)
    • VI: Submediant
    • VII: Subtonic
  The minor scale chords are built in a similar manner, but based on the specific intervals of the minor scale.

3. Pop Style Adjustment (Optional)

When the Pop Style option is selected, the progression is adjusted to follow some of the most common chord progressions found in popular music. This often includes specific patterns like:

• I-V-vi-IV: A widely used progression in pop music.
• The Pop Chord Progression Generator predefined chord choices (e.g., prioritising I, IV, V, and vi chords) to ensure a familiar pop sound.

The chords selected may include sequences such as I-IV-V or I-V-vi-IV, which are typically heard in contemporary pop songs.

4. Pop Chord Progression Generator Selection Algorithm

• The Pop Chord Progression Generator uses a randomised selection process (with constraints based on music theory) to generate a chord progression that fits the user’s chosen parameters.
• Upon clicking the Generate button, the chords are displayed in both the standard chord form and roman numeral format.
• The Play button becomes visible only after the progression is generated, allowing the user to hear the chords.
• Users can regenerate the progression by clicking Generate again, and the UI dynamically updates the displayed chords.

5. Display of Chords

Once the progression is generated, the tool displays the chords in two formats:

• Standard chord symbols (e.g., C, G, Am, F).
• Roman numerals corresponding to the scale degree (e.g., I, V, vi, IV) for easier transposition and understanding of the harmonic function.

6. Audio Playback

To provide an auditory preview of the progression:

• The Pop Chord Progression Generator uses Tone.js, a JavaScript framework for creating interactive sound. It synthesizes the chords based on the generated progression.
• When the user clicks the Play button, the Pop Chord Progression Generator triggers the playback of the generated progression using Tone.js’s Tone.Synth or Tone.Chord objects. Each chord is played sequentially, and the playback speed (tempo) is adjustable if implemented.
• The playback mechanism ensures that the chords are sounded in proper rhythm, with each chord lasting a set amount of time before transitioning to the next one.

Pop Chord Progression Generator Data Structure Overview

• Key Chord Map: Each key (e.g., C, D, G) has associated major and minor chord arrays based on the diatonic scale.
• Roman Numerals: Arrays for both major and minor scales map to specific harmonic functions (I, ii, iii, etc.).
• Pop Style Adjustment: Predefined progressions ensure the result aligns with common pop structures when selected.

Recap of Core Functionalities of the Pop Chord Progression Generator

1. Chord Selection: Automatically generate chords based on the selected key and scale.
2. Pop Style Option: Alter the progression to align with common pop music patterns.
3. Chord Display: Show the generated progression in both chord symbols and roman numerals.
4. Audio Playback: Play back the chord progression using Tone.js to give an auditory preview.
5. User Interaction: Allow users to modify inputs and regenerate the progression at will.

By automating chord progression generation and allowing for customisation through key, scale type, and style, this tool provides a resource for musicians to gain inspiration and develop musical ideas quickly.