Smart Chord Studio

The four chords behind countless hits. Infinitely loopable.

Classic doo-wop and slow dance turnaround.

Starts on the relative minor for a wistful opening.

Descending bassline that powers a thousand ballads.

Dark, cinematic minor loop. Used in arena rock and trailers.

Driving I–V–IV–V. Hold lighters aloft.

Descending minor tetrachord. Flamenco, surf, metal.

The foundation. Use dominant 7ths everywhere.

Common variation: IV in bar 2 for extra motion.

Twelve bars in minor. Try ♭VI–V turnaround.

The fundamental jazz cadence. Sevenths required.

Half-diminished ii leads to a dominant V into minor i.

The A section of 'I Got Rhythm'. Bebop standard.

Cycle of fourths through relative major and minor.

Dorian i–IV. Think 'So What' or 'Impressions'.

Smooth jazzy loop with gentle resolution.

Major 7ths everywhere. Add tape hiss.

Descending then lifting back. Great over a slow beat.

The bright minor — modal and floating.

Lydian #4 gives instant John Williams sparkle.

Phrygian's ♭2 oozes tension and unease.

Eight-bar swell. Big drums implied.

Lydian ambient pad progression.

Three-chord trick. Strum and sing.

Mixolydian's ♭7 gives a Celtic/Americana flavor.

Extended chords and lush voicings. D'Angelo territory.

Major 7 → minor 7 → major 7. Slow tempo.

The drop-friendly four. Side-chain everything.

Descending minor loop over a 4/4 kick.

Power chords, 16th-note downstrokes, attitude.

Eight-bar build that lifts on the 4.

Reverb-soaked, starts on the IV for a hovering feel.

Classic I–IV–V country turnaround.

Skank on 2 and 4. Bass plays root.

ii–V–I with vi turnaround. Maj7 and m7 voicings.

Andalusian descent. Phrygian dominance.

Stepwise lift — uses the III as a pivot.

I–♭VII–IV. The 'Sweet Child' colour.

Lean on the ♭2. Middle-Eastern atmosphere.

Two-chord lydian wash. Steven Universe vibes.