• LIST
  • LOGIC
  • DETAIL
  • HUMAN

How to find chord substitutions with your AI

Connect this MCP to your AI client to instantly pull harmonic alternatives for any progression. Your agent handles the theory math so you can focus on the arrangement.

Ask AI about this page

Short answer

How can I use AI to find chord substitutions?

You provide a chord, and your AI uses the Chord Substitution Finder to identify specific replacements like Tritone or Relative substitutions. You'll get a list of options and the music theory logic behind each one.

The results

What your AI delivers

The AI processes your harmonic requests into actionable musical ideas.

LIST

Replacement options

The AI identifies specific chords that work in place of your target chord. You get a clean list of functional alternatives.

LOGIC

Theory explanations

Each suggestion comes with the reasoning, such as why a Tritone substitution works for a dominant chord. This helps you understand the patterns.

DETAIL

Deep harmonic dives

You can drill down into a specific substitution to see how it relates to the original scale or key. This provides the context needed for smooth voice leading.

HUMAN

Creative final choice

The AI provides the mathematical possibilities, but you decide which substitution fits the emotional feel of your song.

The workflow

What your AI does when you ask for substitutions.

Your agent acts as a real-time theory consultant by calling specific tools to scan harmonic possibilities.

  1. Identify candidates

    Your agent scans for all valid harmonic replacements based on the chord you provide.

    find_substitutions

  2. Analyze relationships

    The AI looks up the specific functional relationship between the original chord and the new option.

    get_substitution_detail

  3. Explain the theory

    The agent translates the mathematical substitution into plain English, explaining the interval or scale movement.

    get_substitution_detail

  4. Refine the selection

    You can ask the agent to filter these results by specific types, like only showing dominant seventh replacements.

    find_substitutions

Try it

Copy these to start.

Use these prompts to trigger the substitution tools immediately.

Starting points

Swap the bracketed chords for whatever you are currently writing.

Chord Substitution Finder Connector

You're all set. Choose your MCP client and follow the setup instructions.

Connector linkhttps://edge.vinkius.com/vk_preview_ZAgrIuNaZTebTYCxaLhSjDKlNDByFaDEFkLvSk9u/mcp

Claude Desktop

Follow the steps below to connect in seconds.

  1. 1In Claude Desktop, open Settings → Connectors.
  2. 2Click “Add custom connector” and paste the connector link above as the remote MCP server URL.
  3. 3Click Add and start a new chat — Chord Substitution Finder capabilities are ready to use.
Configuration · claude_desktop_config.jsonCopy
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "chord-substitution-finder-mcp": {
      "url": "https://edge.vinkius.com/vk_preview_ZAgrIuNaZTebTYCxaLhSjDKlNDByFaDEFkLvSk9u/mcp"
    }
  }
}
Copy into chat04

  • Find all Tritone substitutions for a C7 chord.

  • What are some Relative substitutions for an Am7 chord?

  • Give me dominant substitutions for a G7 in the key of C.

  • Show me functional replacements for a Dm7 chord.

  • Claude
  • ChatGPT
  • Cursor
  • VS Code
  • Windsurf
  • Claude Code
  • JetBrains
  • Cline

Start here

Connect Chord Substitution Finder once, then ask.

One click connects this MCP to your preferred client. Your credentials stay encrypted and secure on our side.

Connect Chord Substitution Finder to your AI

FAQ

How the substitution task behaves

  • 01

    Can the AI write the actual sheet music for me?

    No. The AI identifies the chords and the theory, but you must write the notation or MIDI yourself.

  • 02

    Will the AI change my existing MIDI files?

    No. This MCP only provides text-based harmonic suggestions. It cannot access or modify your DAW or local files.

  • 03

    Does it work for jazz progressions?

    Yes, you can ask for complex substitutions like Coltrane changes or specific dominant extensions.

  • 04

    Can I ask for substitutions in a specific key?

    Yes, just include the key in your prompt so the agent can calculate the correct functional relationships.

  • 05

    How does it know which substitution to pick?

    It uses the find_substitutions tool to pull a list of valid options based on standard music theory rules.

  • More questions about Chord Substitution Finder? The Connector page answers them. See everything the Chord Substitution Finder Connector can do

Connect Chord Substitution Finder to Claude, Cursor, ChatGPT & more