A chord progression is a sequence of chords played one after another. Chords on their own are static - a progression gives them direction.
If chords are individual dishes, a progression is the meal - a sequence of courses arranged so each one sets up the next.
Chords from a scale
Every major scale gives you seven chords built from its notes. These are called diatonic chords - the ingredients available in your pantry for that key.
Diatonic chords in C major
Roman numerals label each chord by its position in the scale. Uppercase = major. Lowercase = minor. This system lets you talk about progressions in any key - the numbers stay the same.
Hear each diatonic chord
These are all the chords available in the key of C major. Tap each one.
What makes a progression work
Good progressions create a sense of tension and release. Some chords feel stable (I), some feel tense (V), and some feel like they're pulling you somewhere (IV, ii). The order you put them in creates the emotional arc.
It's like structuring a meal - you start light, build up, hit a peak, then resolve. A progression that ends on the I chord feels finished. One that stops on the V feels like a cliffhanger.
Key takeaway
A progression is chords in sequence. Each key gives you 7 diatonic chords (your pantry). Roman numerals describe them by position so they work in any key.
Next: the specific progressions that thousands of songs are built on.
Generate progressions in any key
The Progressions tool builds diatonic progressions with theory built in.