Trap chord progressions might sound dark and moody on their own, but they also happen to be the underscore of some of the biggest tracks in music from artists like Metro Boomin, Future, Travis Scott, and beyond. They set the tone and guide the energy atop the drums and underneath the production of all great trap beats.

In this guide, we're going to break it all down. You’ll learn how some of the best trap producers in the game build progressions that feel the way they do, how to use minor keys to your advantage, and how to experiment with chords that keep the beat front and center.

We’ll take a look at common chord patterns, production tips, and real-world song examples, to give you all you need to know to start building better trap beats right away.

What Makes a Good Trap Chord Progression?

Most trap instrumentals work based on a short loop, which is usually no more than two to four bars. This loop sets the emotional tone for the entire track. Unlike pop or R&B, where chord changes might drive the song forward, trap is pretty subtle with its changes. There's not a lot of complex harmony involved.

Most trap chord progressions lean heavily into minor chords and minor modes, especially the natural minor scale (Aeolian), the harmonic minor scale for extra tension, and darker major scale modes like Dorian or Phrygian. These modes help shape that cold, moody energy you hear in tracks by producers like Southside, Wheezy, and TM88. There's quite a bit of weight to these tracks, which is precisely what you're aiming for.  

These are intentionally simple chord progressions. A loop might sit on just two minor chords, repeating them to give space for everything else in the beat, such as 808 slides or chopped vocal melodies. This repetition is what helps these beats sound so mesmerizing on their own, similar to how you can get lost in a six-minute house track.

The chord progressions provide stability, so that all other parts of the track can evolve.

In terms of actual harmony, producers rely on triads and seventh chords to keep things clean and simple. Triads are easy to voice and stack in MIDI, while minor 7th or dominant 7th chords are great for when you need a bit more tension or interest.

The point with chord progressions is to establish a mood and let the rhythm section do the talking. If it loops well, hits hard, and feels cold or cinematic, you’re on the right track.

Common Trap Chord Progressions

As we noted before, you won't find many long chord chains or complex key changes in trap music. The strength is in short, loopable progressions that have a distinct emotional tone, whether cold, eerie, triumphant, or ominous.

Let's take a look at five go-to structures that producers come back to again and again:

a. i–VI–v–i / i–v–iv (minor‑dark)

This is one of the most reliable formats in trap. It's a structure that lives and breathes in the dark. Start with a minor tonic, move to the VI (major chord), drop into a minor v or iv, and loop it back.

You can hear this in Future's "Mask Off."

Examples:

• Cm–Ab–Gm–Cm
• Cm–Gm–Fm
• Am–F–Em–Am

These progressions work because they stay grounded in the key but still move enough to feel cinematic. The VI chord (usually a major chord) adds unexpected lift before falling into darker territory again.

b. i – III – V – iv

"Old Town Road" by Lil Nas X uses a unique progression in G minor, roughly Gm - B♭add9 - F - Cm7, looping under the vocals and 808s.

You get a bit of darkness in the beginning on the (i) with major lift (III), then lands on a familiar dominant (V) before resolving through (iv). The added 9 and seventh tones add a little bit of texture to the overall beat.

c . III-i

Features a repeated progression of the C major chord to the A minor chord, giving just enough harmonic motion to support the melody while leaving lots of space for vocals and rhythmic variation. The back-and-forth motion is minimal yet effective.

You can hear this chord progression in Drake's "Rich Baby Daddy."

d. i – v – VI – VII

While “Lucid Dreams” technically uses F# – A#m – D#m – C#, it follows the same harmonic movement and melancholic vibe. This i–v–VI–VII pattern is common in emotional trap and melodic rap, providing a bittersweet, looping structure that pairs well with auto-tuned vocals and sparse beats.

e.  i(sus2) – i – VI(add11)

Now, for something a bit more exciting.

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This progression and its variations are a modern example of tension-based harmony in trap. While you can certainly just hop between the I and the VI, this particular progression uses suspended and added-note chords to create an unresolved, futuristic feel.

It avoids traditional resolution, which keeps the loop feeling open and hypnotic, perfect for the minimalist production behind “Just Wanna Rock.”

Building Your First Trap Chord Progression

If you’re new to writing trap chord progressions, the best way to start is to keep things simple, moody, and loopable. Here’s how to build your first one from scratch:

Step 1: Pick a Key and Scale

Start by choosing a minor key. Most trap beats stick with natural minor (Aeolian) or harmonic minor for their darker color. For example, A minor or D# minor are popular choices because they sit well on the keyboard and pair easily with 808s.

Step 2: Start with Basic Triads

Build your foundation using the i, iv, and v minor chords from your chosen scale. These minor chord triads give you a solid loop to start with. In A minor, this would look like:

• Am (i)
• Dm (iv)
• Em (v)

This gives you that moody baseline that defines trap harmony.

Step 3: Add Some 7ths

Once your minor chord triads feel solid, try layering in 7ths for depth. A minor 7th on the i chord (Am7) adds a little bit of warmth, and a dominant 7th on the v chord (E7) creates a bit of tension before the loop restarts. These subtle changes give your chord progression more character.

Step 4: Use Suspended or Diminished Chords

If you want to add a little unpredictability or tension, you can also throw in a sus2, sus4, or diminished chord as a passing transition. These work especially well when moving from the v chord back to i.

An example of this chord progression might look like:

Am7 - Fmaj7 - Em7 - Em7sus2

Production Tips for Trap Chords

Once you’ve got your chord progression, the way you produce it matters just as much as the notes themselves. In trap music, chords are just as much a part of the atmosphere as they are the music itself. The goal is to support the 808s, vocals, and drums without overcrowding the mix.

Here’s how to make your chords sit right in a trap beat:

Layer the Right Sounds

Start with a basic piano or bell-synth sound. I'm a huge fan of using these in trap eats, as they cut through the high-end and mid-range without sounding too aggressive. From there, you can layer in muted pads or ambient textures underneath for extra depth.

The key is contrast. Use short, punchy transients on top and smoother, low-passed layers underneath. This gives your music a little bit of movement without detracting from the rest of the beat.

Keep It Short and Snappy

In most trap beats, chords aren't supposed to ring out forever. Long sustains can clash with the 808 or feel too washed out. Instead, use staccato or shortened MIDI note lengths to make room for your drums and bass.

This is especially true when you’re using plucks, keys, or low-end-heavy synths. Keep your release times low and your envelopes tight.

Spread Voicings Across Octaves

Spreading out your voicings is one of the best ways to give your chords the same character they want without making them too cluttered. Take your chord and split it across multiple octaves.

For example, you can play the root and fifth in a lower octave, then layer the third or seventh in a higher one. It's a great way to get all the warmth and emotion of full chords while leaving room for the most important elements, like bass, drums, and vocals.

Groove Is Everything

You can quantize your MIDI to the grid, but don’t make it so stiff that it sounds robotic. It's always a good idea to add a touch of swing or manually nudge some notes off the grid to create natural movement. Make it sound like someone is actually playing the chords or the melody.

Trap beats often live in that slightly off-center pocket, especially when paired with swung hi-hats and jazzy, more ambient key sounds.

Play With Velocity

Similar to the way you might muddle with the rhythm of your MIDI chords, you don’t want to let every chord hit with the same velocity. Varying the velocity of your MIDI notes helps mimic the dynamics of real playing and avoids that lifeless loop feel.

Even a few small changes like dropping the velocity on a second hit can make a loop feel more human.

Use Smart Tools for Inspiration

Plugins like Scaler , Captain Chords , and Ripchord can help you explore chord voicings, generate alternate chord inversions, and suggest progressions based on your key. They’re especially useful for coming up with variations of chords progressions or reharmonizing a loop on the fly.

Advanced Moves & Next Steps

Once you’ve nailed down the basics, there’s plenty of room to level up your trap chord progressions without losing the minimal feel we've hammered into.

Chromatic Passing Chords & Modal Interchange

If you want to add movement between static chords, you can slide in chromatic passing chords, like slipping from Bm to C before landing on D. You can also borrow chords from parallel modes. For example, if you’re in A major, pull in a D minor (iv) from A minor. These tricks are great for creating tension and surprise without changing keys.

Suspended & Diminished Chords for Transitions

A sus2 or sus4 before resolving back to your tonic can stretch a moment out just long enough to give it flavor. Diminished chords work great when you're connecting minor chords and want a darker lead-in.

Rootless Voicings to Clear Room

If your 808 is handling the low end, drop the root note from your chord voicings. Playing just the third, seventh, and extensions up top keeps the harmony intact while keeping the low end clean.

Voice Leading for Smooth Progressions

Instead of jumping between full major and minor chords, shift just one or two notes at a time. This kind of subtle movement, which is called voice leading, helps your chords flow naturally and gives your progression a more musical sound.

Crafting Trap Chord Progressions On Your Own

Good trap chord progressions don’t need to be complicated to hit hard. You don't need to be a music theory expert to create memorable trap tracks. What matters most is the mood your chord progressions set, the space they leave, and the purpose they serve. A two- or four-chord loop, when produced right, can carry an entire beat in trap music, especially when paired with a hard 808 and tight drums.

The minimal nature of trap chord progressions is a feature, not a flaw. A few small harmonic shifts here and there can give the rest of the track room to breathe while still giving you the benefit of simple dark chord progressions. That’s what makes the genre so effective. Nothing is ever wasted, and everything has a specific role.

So take the chord progressions you’ve learned, whether it’s i–VI–v–i or a suspended two-chord loop, and run with them. Flip the voicings. Chop them into loops. Revoice them in different octaves. Layer bells, pads, or synths. Let the rhythm do the talking and shape the harmony to match.

These chord progressions are your foundation. Now make them your own.