Chords & Harmony
From how chords are built, to writing progressions, to analyzing the key of a song. Understanding chords unlocks the harmonic logic behind all music.
Learning path
- 1
Diatonic Chord Reference
⭐ Start hereSee the 7 usable chords in any key with the Diatonic Chord tool
- 2
Chord Progression Player
Hear classic progressions with the Chord Progression Player
- 3
- 4
Chord Progression Analyzer
Decode the chords in your favorite songs with the Chord Analyzer
Related tools in this topic
Chord Finder
Look up chord tones by name, or tap notes on the keyboard to identify a chord.
Chord Diagram
Look up guitar chord shapes as diagrams. Tap any chord to hear it.
Transpose Tool
Transpose chord progressions into a new key, then play the before and after versions. Useful for singers, instruments, and quick arrangement checks.
Related articles
Diatonic Chords
Chord Progressions
Chord Finder
Chord Builder
Chord Analysis
Circle of Fifths
Transposition
Key Finder
Study it systematically
Once you have tried the tools, move on to the main course, which builds up in the same order as a conservatory theory curriculum.
- 5 lessons Chord Structure Triads and seventh chords, inversions and figured bass, roman numerals — and how they map onto chord symbols. Open this unit →
- 4 lessons Harmonic Function and Cadences What each chord does, how cadences are classified, harmonic rhythm, and connecting chords. Open this unit →
- 5 lessons Chromatic Harmony Secondary dominants, mode mixture, the Neapolitan sixth, augmented sixth chords, and modulation. Open this unit →