Short answer A progression sounds sad when it circles around a minor chord. The most common is i–♭VI–♭III–♭VII (Am–F–C–G in A minor); i–iv–i–V (Am–Dm–Am–E) sounds more plaintive. Choose the key, press “Generate another” and the generator suggests more, using harmony rules only: listen and keep the one your lyric asks for.
Rules checked on November 10, 2026.
Your progression Mood or genre Sad Happy Epic Nostalgic Tense Pop Ballad Rock Reggaeton Rumba Sertanejo Bossa nova Key Cm C♯m Dm E♭m Em Fm F♯m Gm G♯m Am B♭m Bm Chord names Letters (C, G, Am) Solfège (Do, Sol, Lam)
Am i Tonic F ♭VI Subdominant C ♭III Tonic · relative G ♭VII Dominant · subtonic Am · 72 BPM
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Why it sounds this way The resting chord is minor, and ♭VI and ♭VII, which a major key wouldn’t have, darken the colour. If the loop returns home through a major V (E in A minor), the sadness turns dramatic; through ♭VII it sounds more resigned. Play it slowly and leave space: tempo makes it sadder too.
Progressions to start with Chords in Am Numerals Function Play Am – F – C – G i – ♭VI – ♭III – ♭VII Tonic – Subdominant – Tonic · relative – Dominant · subtonic Play Use this one Am – Dm – Am – E i – iv – i – V Tonic – Subdominant – Tonic – Dominant Play Use this one Am – G – F – E i – ♭VII – ♭VI – V Tonic – Dominant · subtonic – Subdominant – Dominant Play Use this one Am – Dm – G – C i – iv – ♭VII – ♭III Tonic – Subdominant – Dominant · subtonic – Tonic · relative Play Use this one Am – F – Dm – E i – ♭VI – iv – V Tonic – Subdominant – Subdominant – Dominant Play Use this one F – G – Am – Em ♭VI – ♭VII – i – v Subdominant – Dominant · subtonic – Tonic – Dominant Play Use this one
What it does not do It does not use AI or write the song: it suggests chords from harmony rules, and the melody and lyrics are yours. It does not make audio to release: the sound is a simple guide for trying ideas. It does not analyse existing songs or tell you which hit uses a progression: chords have no owner and repeat across thousands of songs. It saves nothing and sends your choices to no server: everything happens in your browser. 