Minor Chord Progression Chart Calculator

Minor Chord Progression Chart Calculator

Compare minor-key loops, cadence pull, and harmonic color before you lock the chart.

🎸Preset chart paths

Pick a musical mood, then var the calculator reshape the loop, cadence, and harmonic density.

💡Chart tip
Match the loop length to the role. Four bars feel direct, while eight bars give the harmony room to breathe.
📋Build the chart

Each field changes the chart readout, the scale reference, and the final cadence score.

Tempo reads in BPM and drives loop time.
Higher values push stronger V-i pull.
🎶Cadence tip
Use harmonic minor when the ending needs weight. The raised seventh creates a clearer landing than a soft natural-minor loop.
Suggested loop
A minor - F - G - A minor
progression
Cadence score
0
out of 100
Color score
0
out of 100
Loop time
0.0
seconds
Full breakdown Best use: Verse
Measure Method Result Why it matters
KeySelected tonicA minorSets the harmonic center
📑Current key chart
Degree Roman Chord Role
1iAmTonic
📝Minor scale flavor specs
Aeolian / Natural Minor
Pull
Medium
Color
Classic
Best use
Verse loops
Move
i-VI-VII
Harmonic Minor
Pull
High
Color
Bright tension
Best use
Cadences
Move
V-i
Melodic Minor
Pull
High
Color
Smooth lift
Best use
Hooks
Move
Raised 6/7
Dorian Minor
Pull
Medium
Color
Cool groove
Best use
Vamps
Move
i-IV-VII
📊Scale family comparison
Family Color note Cadence pull Best use
AeolianFlat 7MediumVerse flow
HarmonicRaised 7Very highStrong ending
MelodicRaised 6/7HighGlossy hooks
DorianNatural 6MediumGrooves
PhrygianFlat 2Low-mediumDark tension
LocrianFlat 5LowEdge cues
📋Progression family comparison
Family Roman loop Mood Use
Smoke and Velveti-VI-VII-iWarm liftHooks
Cinematic Descenti-bVI-bVII-VWide pullScenes
Late-Night Popi-III-VII-VIOpen riseChoruses
Folk Drifti-iv-VI-vSoft swayVerses
Dark Trap Loopi-bVI-bVII-iHeavy loopBeats
Lush Balladi-VI-III-VIIGentle colorBallads
Modal Chasei-VII-VI-VIICool motionVamps
Bridge Suspenseiv-bVI-i-VRising strainBridge
Ambient Hoveri-v-VI-VIISoft hazePads
Final Cadencei-iv-V-iClear closeEnds
💡Cadence pull guide
Target Typical feel Best chord move Chart use
0 to 25Loosei-VI-VIIAmbient loops
26 to 50Soft pulli-iv-VIVerses
51 to 70Balancedi-VI-VHooks
71 to 85Firmiv-V-iChoruses
86 to 100StrongV-iFinal bars
🕓Common loop lengths
Bars Beats At 90 BPM Chart shape
285.3 secQuick hook
41610.7 secStandard loop
83221.3 secVerse span
124832.0 secLong bridge
166442.7 secFull section

Use this minor chord progression chart to compare natural, harmonic, and modal paths, then choose progressions that feel tighter, darker, more open, and easier to finish cleanly.

Minor chord progressions is chord sequences created in the context of using minor keys to create a specific mood within a song. Many musicians uses minor chord progressions to create tension within there songs. The tension that is expressed within a minor chord progression relies upon the musician’s harmonic choice within the song.

Musicians can use different type of minor scales to create different types of minor chord progressions. One of the scales that a musician can use within a minor chord progression is the natural minor scale, also known as an Aeolian mode. The natural minor scale creates a somber feeling within the song due to the presence of the flat seventh note within that scale.

How to Make Minor Chord Progressions

Another scale that can be used is the harmonic minor scale, wherein the musician raise the seventh note of the natural minor scale. This creates a dominant chord within the progression that indicates a sense of resolution when reached. The Dorian mode contain a bright sixth note that adds a sense of groove to the minor chord progression.

The Phrygian mode also contains a flat second note that creates a different mood within a song. However, the musician must choose these scales carefuly so that the minor chord progression doesnt lose it’s structure. The shape of a minor chord progression is important in how the listener perceives it.

One of the shapes of a minor chord progression is the i-VI-VII progression, which circle back to the tonic starting chord. This type of chord progression is useful for incorporating repetitive hook into a song. A i-bVII-bVI chord progression is another shape that can be utilized within a minor chord progression.

This type of progression creates a sense of ambiguity in the listener. Another common chord progression is the i-iv-V progression, which incorporate the use of a dominant chord within the progression. The length of a minor chord progression can also vary.

Shorter chord progressions have a certain firmness to them, whereas longer chord progressions may utilize gentler chord motion within the song due to the time they have to develop. Cadence is the way in which a minor chord progression end. The strength of the cadence of a chord progression will indicate to the listener how much resolution the composition provide to the tension created within the chords.

A V-i cadence within a minor chord progression will indicate a strong feeling of resolution. A i-VI cadence indicate a soft resolution to the chord progression. This type of cadence is often used to build tension within a song before it resolve.

However, this cadence is often risky if the musician use it within a short minor chord progression. Another type of resolution is the use of borrow chords within a progression that utilizes minor chords to create a specific mood. Another factor affecting the sound of a minor chord progression is the tempo.

The tempo will determine the length of the progression. A four-bar loop at 90 BPM will last approximately 11 second, whereas a 16-bar loop at 70 BPM will last approximately 34 seconds. In addition to tempo, the density of the progression can also change.

A musician can accomplish this by utilizing different voicings or inversions for each chord within the progression. These inversions will allow the progression to have more smoother transitions between each chord in the progression. Finally, one of the most important aspect of creating a minor chord progression is that the musician matches their musical intent with the musical outcome of the composition.

To create a verse that has a swaying feeling without a resolution, utilize the Dorian mode with a low cadence target. Chords should of been composed with the use of the harmonic minor scale when the musician intends to create a firm pull within the song to the tonic. For trap beat, the Phrygian mode will create a dark loop for the beat.

However, too many color will make the chord progression sound muddy, so ensure that the progression does not use too many of these different scales. Many musicians who compose minor chord progressions makes certain mistake. One of the most common is overloading the chord progression with borrowed tones.

Using borrowed chords within a progression will dilute the inherent identity of the minor chord progression. Another mistake is to ignore the relationship between the length of the loop and the tempo. It is also possible to make the mistake of forgetting that different section of a song require different levels of cadence strength.

To properly create a progression with the desired outcome, the musician should listen to their progression while play it on the piano.

Minor Chord Progression Chart Calculator

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