Synthwave chord progressions

Synthwave borrows its harmony from 80s film scores and pop: minor loops that keep landing on major chords, played on big analog pads and arpeggios. These are in A minor, A Dorian and C major.

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Outrun loop

A minor
AmiFVICIIIGVII

i, VI, III, VII. Am, F, C, G. The same loop as the big minor EDM anthems, played slower on pads.

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Retro lift

A minor
AmiGVIIFVIGVII

i, VII, VI, VII. Am, G, F, G. Moves back and forth around the home chord, which works well under a long lead.

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Dorian cruise

A dorian
AmiDIV

i to IV. Am to D. A minor chord that turns bright on the second bar.

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80s pop

C major
CIEmiiiFIVGV

I, iii, IV, V. C, Em, F, G. The bright, hopeful side of the decade.

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Making them sound like synthwave

  • Play the chords on a wide, detuned pad and add an arpeggio on the same notes.
  • Use a gated reverb on the snare and plenty of chorus on the chords for the 80s sound.
  • Keep the bass on eighth notes on the root of each chord, the driving outrun bass.

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.

Or start with the free pack: 24 sounds from all three packs, and a 25% code for the full packs a few days later.

Questions

What chords are used in synthwave?

Mostly minor-key loops with major chords from the same key (VI, III and VII), plus Dorian moves. The sound matters as much as the chords: pads, arpeggios and gated drums.

What tempo is synthwave?

Usually 80 to 118 BPM. Outrun and darker styles are often faster, dreamier styles slower.

How do I make chords sound 80s?

Use a polysynth or a Juno-style pad with chorus, a slow attack and a big reverb. The seed synth on this site has a Synthwave style that writes a whole loop in that sound.

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