EDM chord progressions

A small set of progressions turns up again and again in EDM drops. These four are the most common, in A minor and C major.

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The minor drop

A minor
AmiFVICIIIGVII

i, VI, III, VII. Am, F, C, G. The most used minor loop in progressive house and EDM drops.

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The epic cadence

A minor
FVIGVIIAmi

VI, VII, i. F, G, Am. Two major chords climbing into the minor home chord: the classic way to land a drop.

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Pop axis

C major
CIGVAmviFIV

I, V, vi, IV. C, G, Am, F. The pop four-chord loop, heard in a lot of festival tracks.

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Lift to the minor

C major
FIVCIGVAmvi

IV, I, V, vi. F, C, G, Am. Ends on the minor chord, so the loop sounds unfinished and leads back to the start.

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Making them sound like edm

  • In the drop, play the chords on a supersaw with side-chain to the kick, so they pump.
  • Use the same progression in the breakdown on a piano or pad, then bring the full sound in at the drop.
  • Put the bass on the root, an octave below the chords, and keep it simple.

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

More chord progressions

Chord progressions by key

Play these chords with VISIONS OF TOMORROW →71 Serum 2 presets for house and techno, with pads, keys, plucks and stabs made for chords like these. $29.

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Questions

What chords are used in EDM?

Mostly the same four-chord loops as pop, in minor and major keys: i-VI-III-VII, I-V-vi-IV and the VI-VII-i cadence.

What key is EDM usually in?

Minor keys are common, often F, G or A minor, which keep the bass and lead in a good range. Any key works.

How do I make EDM chords sound big?

Stack several detuned saws, add the octave above, side-chain to the kick and use a long reverb in the breakdown. The seed synth on this site has a Supersaw sound you can start from.

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