Dark chord progressions

Dark progressions use the notes most scales avoid: the flat second of Phrygian and the raised seventh of harmonic minor. These are in A, for techno, trap, film and anything with tension.

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Phrygian half step

A phrygian
AmiBbbII

i to bII. A half step up from the home chord. This is the sound most people mean by Phrygian.

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Harmonic minor pull

A harmonic minor
AmiEV

i to V. The major V chord in a minor key, tense and dramatic.

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Descending dread

A harmonic minor
AmiFVIEV

i, VI, V. Falls a half step into the dominant.

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Phrygian loop

A phrygian
AmiBbbIIGmviiBbbII

i, bII, vii, bII. Circles around the home chord without resolving.

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Making them sound like dark

  • Keep the chords low and sustained, and let the bass sit on the root.
  • The half step from i to bII works best slowly: give each chord a full bar.
  • Add distortion or a darker filter to the sound, not more chords.

Every progression on the site, in every key, as MIDI in one zip: free MIDI chord progressions.

More chord progressions

Chord progressions by key

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Questions

What scale sounds the darkest?

Phrygian, because of its flat second. Harmonic minor is also dark and dramatic, thanks to the major chord on its fifth.

What is a bII chord?

A major chord built a half step above the home chord: Bb in A minor. It is the signature sound of Phrygian.

Which genres use dark progressions?

Techno, trap, drill, film scores and metal all use Phrygian and harmonic minor moves.

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