Short answer A progression sounds tense when it never lets you rest: it rocks the minor tonic against a chord a half step above, like i–♭II (Em–F in E minor), or reaches the dominant without resolving it, like i–♭VI–ii°–V (Em–C–F♯°–B). It suits intros, bridges and dark trap. The generator finds loops like these with harmony rules.
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)
Em i Tonic F ♭II Subdominant · Phrygian Em i Tonic F ♭II Subdominant · Phrygian Em · 96 BPM
Generate another Play Copy
Turn on JavaScript to generate and hear progressions. There is an example above.
Why it sounds this way ♭II (F in E minor) sits a half step above the tonic and rubs against it, as in the Phrygian sound of flamenco or metal. The diminished chord and the major dominant pile up tension that asks to resolve; if the loop starts again before it does, the tension never ends.
Progressions to start with Chords in Em Numerals Function Play Em – F – Em – F i – ♭II – i – ♭II Tonic – Subdominant · Phrygian – Tonic – Subdominant · Phrygian Play Use this one Em – C – F♯° – B i – ♭VI – ii° – V Tonic – Subdominant – Subdominant – Dominant Play Use this one Em – Am – F – B i – iv – ♭II – V Tonic – Subdominant – Subdominant · Phrygian – Dominant Play Use this one Em – B – C – B i – V – ♭VI – V Tonic – Dominant – Subdominant – Dominant Play Use this one Em – F – C – B i – ♭II – ♭VI – V Tonic – Subdominant · Phrygian – Subdominant – 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. 