How to Write Your Own Chord Progressions

Writing chord progressions feels mysterious until you have a framework. Here’s a practical approach that works whether you’re writing a pop song or a jazz piece.

Step 1: Choose a Key

Pick a key. Any key. For beginners, C major or G major are easiest because they avoid complex accidentals. Everything else follows from this choice.

Step 2: Know Your Seven Diatonic Chords

In your chosen key, you have seven chords to work with (the diatonic chords). In C major: C, Dm, Em, F, G, Am, Bdim. These are your default palette.

Step 3: Choose a Starting Chord

Most progressions start on I (the tonic). But starting on VIm (the relative minor) creates a more ambiguous, darker opening. Starting on IV or V suggests you’re mid-motion.

Step 4: Think in Emotional Arcs

Rather than picking chords note-by-note, think about the emotional journey:

• Stable → unstable → resolution (classic arc)
• Continuous loop (hypnotic, used in dance music)
• Deceptive resolution (resolve to VIm instead of I for surprise)

Step 5: Experiment and Listen

Theory gives you starting points. Your ears make the final call. Try variations, change the order, try a different key. The tool below lets you hear any combination instantly.

A Simple Template to Start

I – VIm – IV – V (e.g., C – Am – F – G)

This four-chord loop is comfortable but flexible. Once you can play it in multiple keys and hear why it works, you’re ready to start varying and personalizing it.

→ Hear these progressions in the Chord Progression Player