Composition Planner • PRSHS

Choose a key from the approved list, enter the scale yourself, build the triads, explore extended chords, then plan a 4-chord progression. Use Check buttons to verify your working.

1) Choose your key

Scale degrees
Correct scale
Diatonic triads

2) Your scale (type the 7 or 8 notes)

Circle of Fifths

3) Build the diatonic triads (type the 3 notes for each)

Write each chord as three note names (comma-separated). Order doesn’t matter; enharmonics are treated as distinct spellings (Db ≠ C#).

DegreeQualityYour chord notesCheck

4) Extended chord options

5) Plan your 4-chord progression

6) Mood-based suggestions

Chord Progression Rules (PRSHS)

Major key movement
  • I can appear anywhere in a progression.
  • iiI, V, vii°
  • iiiI, ii, IV, vi
  • IVI, ii, iii, V, vii°
  • VI, vi
  • viI, ii, iii, IV, V
  • vii°I, iii
Minor key movement (natural minor)
  • i can appear anywhere in a progression.
  • ii° (or ii) → i, iii, V, v, vii° or VII
  • III (or III+) → i, iv, IV, VI, #vii° or vii°
  • iv (or IV) → i, V, v, vii° or VII
  • V (or v) → i or VI
  • VI (or #vii°) → many (e.g. i, III, III+, iv, IV, V, v, vii°, VII)
  • vii° (or VII) → i

Answers

Use only if you’re stuck. This reveals the scale & diatonic triads for the selected key.

Teacher Notes