Recognize chord progressions by function – not by chance.
Choose Key, Difficulty & Tempo. Listen to a progression (with Count-In) and select the correct Roman Numeral sequence.
FAQ
Why can't I hear sound?
Browsers allow audio only after a click. Start with "New Round" and check if the tab/browser is not muted.
Can I add my own progressions?
Yes. In the script, you will find PROGRESSIONS. There you can add entries (Label, RN-List, Explanation).
How does Minor work (Dominant)?
In Minor, the tool automatically uses the harmonic minor leading-tone variant for V/V7, so the resolution to the Tonic sounds clear.
Is this GDPR-friendly?
Yes. No external libraries, no requests – audio is generated completely locally in the browser.
Progression Ear Trainer: Chord Function Recognition by Roman Numeral
The Progression Ear Trainer plays chord progressions synthesized via the Web Audio API and asks you to identify the harmonic function of each chord using Roman numeral notation (I, II, IV, V, VI, VII). Training by harmonic function rather than by chord name builds transferable ear skills that work in any key — the most effective method used in music conservatories worldwide.
Key & Mode Selection
Choose any of the 12 major keys or natural/harmonic minor. The trainer transposes all progressions to your chosen key in real time — no transposition tables needed.
Difficulty Levels
Beginner (I, IV, V only), Intermediate (adds II, VI, VII°), Advanced (secondary dominants, borrowed chords, sus/add chords). Build up progressively.
Roman Numeral Answer Interface
After hearing the progression, click the Roman numeral buttons to identify each chord. Instant feedback: correct (green), wrong with the correct answer shown (red). Score tracked across session.
Custom Progression Editor
Create and save your own chord progressions for targeted practice. Useful for drilling specific progressions from songs you are learning or composing.
Session Scoring
Tracks your accuracy per chord function and per session. Shows which Roman numerals you struggle with most, so you can focus practice where it matters.
Roman Numeral Chord Functions in Major Keys
| Roman numeral | Chord quality | Function name | Typical feel / use |
|---|---|---|---|
| I (Tonic) | Major | Tonic | Home, rest, resolution. All progressions gravitate toward I. |
| II (Supertonic) | Minor | Predominant | Gentle tension; often precedes V. Common in jazz (II–V–I). |
| III (Mediant) | Minor | Tonic substitute | Less common; used as a passing chord or tonic substitute. |
| IV (Subdominant) | Major | Subdominant | Warm, departing. Plagal cadence (IV–I = "Amen" cadence). |
| V (Dominant) | Major | Dominant | Strong tension demanding resolution to I. V7 intensifies this. |
| VI (Submediant) | Minor | Tonic substitute | Melancholic. Common in pop (I–V–VI–IV and variations). |
| VII° (Leading tone) | Diminished | Dominant function | Maximum tension; resolves strongly to I. Less common in pop. |
The 10 Most Common Progressions to Train With
| Progression | Style | Famous examples |
|---|---|---|
| I – V – VI – IV | Pop, rock | Literally thousands of pop songs (Axis of Awesome) |
| I – IV – V – I | Blues, folk, rock | Standard 3-chord songs; 12-bar blues variations |
| II – V – I | Jazz, bossa nova | Core jazz cadence; basis of most jazz standards |
| I – VI – IV – V | Doo-wop, 50s pop | "Stand By Me", "Earth Angel", "Blue Moon" |
| VI – IV – I – V | Minor pop, rock | "Somebody That I Used to Know", "Grenade" |
| I – V – VI – III – IV | Baroque, pop | Pachelbel's Canon, "Basket Case" (Green Day) |
| I – IV – I – V | Blues, country | Classic 12-bar blues (abbreviated form) |
| VI – VII – I | Minor / modal | Natural minor cadence; common in folk and film music |
| I – III – IV – IV | Pop, R&B | "Let It Be" (verse), "No Woman No Cry" |
| II – IV – I – V | Soul, R&B, jazz | Common in neo-soul and modern jazz compositions |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why train by Roman numeral instead of memorizing chord names?
Chord names (C major, G major, A minor) are key-specific. If you train to recognize "C–G–Am–F" as a progression, you will only recognize it in the key of C. Roman numerals (I–V–VI–IV) are key-independent: the same function pattern sounds the same regardless of what key it is in. Training by Roman numeral means that when you hear a I–V–VI–IV pattern in E major, you recognize it instantly — because your ear learned the function, not the note names. This is why professional musicians, film composers, and session players use Roman numeral analysis exclusively for progression analysis and transposition.
How long does it take to develop reliable chord progression recognition?
With consistent daily practice (15–20 minutes), most musicians can reliably recognize I, IV, and V within 2–4 weeks. Adding II and VI typically takes another 3–6 weeks. Consistent recognition of all diatonic chords (I through VII) in major keys generally takes 3–6 months of regular practice. Minor keys, secondary dominants, and borrowed chords add additional complexity and may take 6–12 months to internalize reliably. The key variable is daily consistency — short daily sessions (15 min) are significantly more effective than longer weekly sessions, because ear training relies on building neural pathways through repetition.
What is the difference between major and minor key training?
In major keys, the characteristic functions are clear and well-defined (I=stable, V=tense, IV=warm). In natural minor keys, the VII chord is major (not diminished), the V chord is minor (less dominant pull), and the I chord has a different emotional quality (melancholic rather than bright). Harmonic minor adds a raised 7th degree, creating a major V chord in a minor key — giving the strong dominant resolution that natural minor lacks. The trainer offers separate modes for major, natural minor, and harmonic minor so you can build function recognition in each context independently before mixing them.
Can I use this to train for a specific instrument (e.g., guitar)?
Yes — the ear training is instrument-agnostic, but you can optimize it for guitar by enabling the "Guitar voicing" synthesis mode, which uses chord voicings typical of guitar (open chords and barre chord shapes) rather than close-position piano voicings. This makes the training more transferable to recognizing progressions on guitar recordings. For pianists, the default close-position voicing is appropriate. For bassists, try the "Root only" mode to train recognizing chord function from the bass note alone — an essential skill for playing by ear.
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