Random Chord Progression Generator
Generate unpredictable progressions to break out of practice ruts, develop your ear, and discover new harmonic possibilities.
Chord Type
Your Progression
Why Random Progressions?
Random chord progressions force you out of familiar patterns. When you always practice scales "around the circle of fifths," you can fall into a rut where you only play correctly when preceded by a specific key. Randomness breaks that dependency.
Professor Mike Steinel's Approach
This tool is inspired by Professor Mike Steinel at the University of North Texas. His insight: treat chord roots as tonal centers, not just chord changes. A "D" doesn't have to mean Dmaj7 - it could represent the entire key of D, opening up ii-V-I possibilities, modal playing, and more.
Practice Ideas
- Scales & Patterns: Use "Roots Only" to practice scales in random keys
- Chord Tones: Outline each chord with arpeggios
- ii-V Overlay: Treat each root as the I of a ii-V-I progression
- Improvisation: Solo over the progression, making musical sense of the randomness
- Comping: Practice voicings and rhythmic accompaniment
Pro Tips
Example Applications
Full-Range Scale Practice
Generate a "Roots Only" progression. On each root, play your target scale through the full range of your instrument, ignoring the notated rhythm. Move to the next root when you've completed the scale.
Tonal Center Overlay
Treat each root as the I chord of a key. Play a ii-V-I in that key over each chord change. This builds instant recall of ii-V relationships.
Making Musical Sense
The challenge is to improvise melodic lines that connect smoothly despite the random harmonic landscape. Focus on voice leading and common tones between chords.