Passing Chords
The Passing Chords generator suggests the chords that carry you from one chord to the next. Tell The Ultimate Piano where you are and where you want to go, and it offers connections — diatonic steps, chromatic approaches, secondary dominants, tritone substitutions. Every suggestion plays back, so you choose the one that sounds right rather than the one that looks clever.
A typical result inserts one bridging chord, giving you a compact 3-chord sequence. A passing chord is a chord inserted between two other chords to create smoother harmonic movement — commonly used in jazz, gospel, and pop. Each result plays back so you can hear the transition before you use it.
On this page
Generate Passing Chords Online
Passing chords smooth the gap between two chords by adding a bridging chord in between. In The Ultimate Piano, the generator takes a start chord and a target chord, then sorts its suggestions into 6 types of harmony rule — Functional, Dominant, Chromatic, Diatonic, Cadences, and Diminished. You pick the key for context, click Generate, and press play to hear each option — no music-theory degree required.
Chord input covers all 7 notes (C, D, E, F, G, A, B, with sharps and flats) plus common qualities such as maj7, m7, dim, and sus4, so you can enter almost any chord you would find in a lead sheet.
How to Open
Click Passing Chords in the feature menu. You can also use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+P.
How to Find Passing Chords
1. Select Key – Choose the key signature for context (e.g., C/Am, G/Em)
2. Enter Start Chord – Type your starting chord (e.g., "Am7", "Cmaj7")
3. Enter Target Chord – Type your destination chord (e.g., "G7", "Dm")
4. Click Generate – View suggested passing chord sequences
Chord input supports standard notation:
- Root notes: C, D, E, F, G, A, B (with # or b)
- Qualities: maj, min, m, 7, maj7, m7, dim, aug, sus4, etc.
Understanding Results
Each suggestion shows:
Chord Sequence
The complete progression from start to target, displayed as:
``
Am7 → Dm7 → G7
Rule Category
The harmonic principle behind the suggestion:
Key Status
- In Key ✓ – All chords are diatonic (within the selected key)
- Chromatic ⚠️ – Contains out-of-key chords (can sound sophisticated)
Play Button
Click ▶ to hear the chord sequence played with smooth voice leading. The tool automatically chooses octaves to minimize melodic jumps between chord roots.
Common Passing Chord Patterns
ii-V-I Insertion
Going from I to I? Insert the classic ii-V-I:
``
Cmaj7 → Dm7 → G7 → Cmaj7
Tritone Substitution
Replace a dominant 7th with a chord a tritone away:
`
Am7 → D7 → Db7 → Cmaj7
Chromatic Approach
Approach the target from a half-step above or below:
`
Cmaj7 → Dbmaj7 → Dm7
Tips for Smooth Chord Transitions
- Start simple – Begin with chords in the same key
- Listen first – Play each suggestion before deciding
- Trust your ears – Theory suggests, but your ears decide
- Experiment – Try unexpected start/target combinations
- Press Enter to generate suggestions when focused on input
- Press ESC to close the panel
Use Cases
- Songwriting – Find smooth chord transitions between sections
- Reharmonization – Add sophistication to simple chord progressions
- Jazz Study – Learn common passing chord techniques like ii-V-I and tritone substitution
- Arranging – Create professional-sounding chord movements
See Chord Explorer for analyzing harmonic relationships between two chords, or Chord Training to practice playing chords with real-time feedback.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are passing chords on piano?
Passing chords are intermediate chords placed between two other chords to create a smoother harmonic transition. Instead of jumping directly from one chord to another, passing chords fill the gap using techniques like chromatic voice leading, ii-V-I insertions, or dominant chord relationships.
How do I find passing chords between two chords?
3 steps: enter your start chord and target chord in the Passing Chords generator in The Ultimate Piano, select a key for context, and click Generate. The tool suggests multiple passing chord sequences across 6 harmony rule categories — Functional, Dominant, Chromatic, Diatonic, Cadences, and Diminished. Click the play button to hear each suggestion.
What is a tritone substitution?
A tritone substitution replaces a dominant 7th chord with another dominant 7th chord whose root is a tritone — 3 whole steps — away. For example, Db7 can substitute for G7 because they share the same tritone interval (B and F). This creates smooth chromatic voice leading and is widely used in jazz.
Can I use passing chords in pop and rock music?
Yes. While passing chords are most associated with jazz, they work in any genre. Simple diatonic passing chords — staying within the key — add movement to pop and rock progressions without sounding overly complex. The generator labels each suggestion as "In Key" or "Chromatic" so you can choose what fits your style.
How many types of passing chord rules does the generator use?
6 rule categories drive the suggestions: Functional, Dominant, Chromatic, Diatonic, Cadences, and Diminished. Each generated passing chord sequence is labeled with the category behind it, so you learn why a transition works while you audition it.
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