What is the most common EDM chord progression?

i–VI–III–VII, which is Am–F–C–G in A minor. It loops endlessly and lifts naturally into a drop. Its major-key twin, vi–IV–I–V, uses the same four chords.

What key is most EDM in?

Most EDM is in a minor key, and any key can work. Producers often choose one that puts the kick and sub bass in a comfortable low range, then build the chords from there. Find a reference track's key with our free [key and BPM finder](/tools/key-bpm-finder).

How do you make future bass chords?

Use 7th and 9th chords such as Fmaj7–G–Em7–Am7, play them on a bright supersaw, add pitch bends and volume chops, and sidechain hard to the kick. Most future bass sits between about 130 and 160 BPM.

EDM Chord Progressions (Big-Room, Trance, Future Bass)

EDM Chord Progressions: Anthems, Builds and Future Bass Chords

Most EDM runs on four-chord minor loops that lift: i–VI–III–VII (Am–F–C–G) is the festival anthem, VI–VII–i (F–G–Am) climbs into the drop, and i–VII–VI–VII (Am–G–F–G) drives trance and progressive house. Future bass swaps in jazzier 7ths and 9ths, as in IVmaj7–V–iii7–vi7 (Fmaj7–G–Em7–Am7). Play them as wide supersaw chords, sidechained to the kick.

EDM chord progressions

i–VI–III–VII
In A minor / C major
Am – F – C – G
Style
Festival and big-room anthem
VI–VII–i
In A minor / C major
F – G – Am
Style
The rising build into the drop
i–VII–VI–VII
In A minor / C major
Am – G – F – G
Style
Trance and progressive house drive
iv–VI–VII–i
In A minor / C major
Dm – F – G – Am
Style
Rising energy, progressive house
IVmaj7–V–iii7–vi7
In A minor / C major
Fmaj7 – G – Em7 – Am7
Style
Future bass: lush, bittersweet
i–VI–VII–i
In A minor / C major
Am – F – G – Am
Style
Dubstep and bass music: short and heavy

Progression	In A minor / C major	Style
i–VI–III–VII	Am – F – C – G	Festival and big-room anthem
VI–VII–i	F – G – Am	The rising build into the drop
i–VII–VI–VII	Am – G – F – G	Trance and progressive house drive
iv–VI–VII–i	Dm – F – G – Am	Rising energy, progressive house
IVmaj7–V–iii7–vi7	Fmaj7 – G – Em7 – Am7	Future bass: lush, bittersweet
i–VI–VII–i	Am – F – G – Am	Dubstep and bass music: short and heavy

Sound, rhythm and tempo

Supersaw chords: stack detuned saws an octave apart, root in the bass, and keep the voicing wide. Nova has a 7-saw supersaw with up to 7-voice unison.
Sidechain everything to the kick: chords and bass duck on each beat for the classic pump. Pump does it for free with no routing.
Rhythm: offbeat stabs and plucks for house, held pads for trance, chopped and pitch-bent chords for future bass.
Tempo: house around 124 BPM, trance 130 to 140, dubstep 140 with a half-time feel, drum and bass around 174. See our BPM by genre chart.

For deep house, organ stabs and piano house, see house chord progressions.

House Party: Hook's EDM band playing minor anthems like i–VI–III–VII as offbeat stabs over four-on-the-floor drums. Press play, then hum a topline.

Play these in our free chord progression generator: pick EDM / House, set the mood to Epic, press play, then hum a melody and it re-harmonises around you.

More chord progressions

Chord progressions by genre and mood: jazz, gospel, neo-soul, rock, house, trap and hip-hop, minor, sad, happy, dark, emotional, beautiful, R&B, country and piano. To learn why they work, read how to write a hit song.

EDM Chord Progressions: Anthems, Builds and Future Bass Chords

EDM chord progressions

i–VI–III–VII
In A minor / C major
Am – F – C – G
Style
Festival and big-room anthem
VI–VII–i
In A minor / C major
F – G – Am
Style
The rising build into the drop
i–VII–VI–VII
In A minor / C major
Am – G – F – G
Style
Trance and progressive house drive
iv–VI–VII–i
In A minor / C major
Dm – F – G – Am
Style
Rising energy, progressive house
IVmaj7–V–iii7–vi7
In A minor / C major
Fmaj7 – G – Em7 – Am7
Style
Future bass: lush, bittersweet
i–VI–VII–i
In A minor / C major
Am – F – G – Am
Style
Dubstep and bass music: short and heavy

Progression	In A minor / C major	Style
i–VI–III–VII	Am – F – C – G	Festival and big-room anthem
VI–VII–i	F – G – Am	The rising build into the drop
i–VII–VI–VII	Am – G – F – G	Trance and progressive house drive
iv–VI–VII–i	Dm – F – G – Am	Rising energy, progressive house
IVmaj7–V–iii7–vi7	Fmaj7 – G – Em7 – Am7	Future bass: lush, bittersweet
i–VI–VII–i	Am – F – G – Am	Dubstep and bass music: short and heavy

Sound, rhythm and tempo

Supersaw chords: stack detuned saws an octave apart, root in the bass, and keep the voicing wide. Nova has a 7-saw supersaw with up to 7-voice unison.

Sidechain everything to the kick: chords and bass duck on each beat for the classic pump. Pump does it for free with no routing.

Rhythm: offbeat stabs and plucks for house, held pads for trance, chopped and pitch-bent chords for future bass.

Tempo: house around 124 BPM, trance 130 to 140, dubstep 140 with a half-time feel, drum and bass around 174. See our BPM by genre chart.

For deep house, organ stabs and piano house, see house chord progressions.

House Party: Hook's EDM band playing minor anthems like i–VI–III–VII as offbeat stabs over four-on-the-floor drums. Press play, then hum a topline.

Play these in our free chord progression generator: pick EDM / House, set the mood to Epic, press play, then hum a melody and it re-harmonises around you.

EDM Chord Progressions: Anthems, Builds and Future Bass Chords

Our picks

Hook

Nova

Pump

EDM chord progressions

Sound, rhythm and tempo

More chord progressions

People also ask

Every plugin on this page, and the rest. All 25, €229.

EDM Chord Progressions: Anthems, Builds and Future Bass Chords

Our picks

Hook

Nova

Pump

EDM chord progressions

Sound, rhythm and tempo

More chord progressions

People also ask

Every plugin on this page, and the rest. All 25, €229.