This minor-keyed sequence sounds deeply emotional and urgent. It is a staple in modern gospel and urban neo soul. viiø7 →right arrow →right arrow Example in A Minor: Bm7b5 →right arrow →right arrow Vibe: Dark, dramatic, and incredibly soulful. Progression 4: The Chromatic Slide (Step-Down)
Creating your is not about building a static library; it's about creating a dynamic, growing tool for your musical development. As you practice these progressions, remember that feel and rhythm are just as important as the notes themselves.
Use non-diatonic "passing chords" or move chords in parallel (e.g., sliding a minor chord down a half step) to create smooth, soulful transitions. Essential Neo Soul Progressions
This guide covers the theory, but you need to see the voicings to play them. Download our Neo Soul Chord Progressions Piano PDF to get: Visual chord diagrams for all 12 keys. Rhythmic exercises for the left hand. A bonus guide on neo soul "licks" and embellishments. If you're interested, I can also help you: Map out specific voicings for the right-hand part. Explain the rhythm ("back-phrasing") in more detail. Suggest artists for specific progressions.
Perfect for stepping up or down between diatonic chords. Quartal Voicings neo soul chord progressions piano pdf
Dominant chords act as tension builders. By altering the 5th or 9th degrees, you create a powerful urge to resolve to the next chord.
Let's get these chords moving. Here are some quintessential progressions that define the neo-soul sound.
Progression 1: The Classic ii - V - I - VI (Minor Turnaround) This is the most common loop in R&B and neo soul. ii9 – V7(b9) – Imaj9 – VI7(#9) Example in C Major: Dm9 – G7(b9) – Cmaj9 – A7(#9) Vibe: Smooth, cyclical, and infinitely loopable. Progression 2: The Gospel-Inflected IV - iii - ii - I
Over the Cm7 chord, try playing a simple melody like: C - E- Eb - G. This creates a bit of tension and release within the chord. This minor-keyed sequence sounds deeply emotional and urgent
This is the definitive neo soul sound. It feels melancholic, deep, and smooth.
cap F m to the seventh power right arrow cap G ♭ raised to the cap delta 7 power
Progression 3: The Gospel-Inflected Plagal Cadence (Imaj9 - iv9)
Uses chromatic movement and unexpected shifts for a "loop" vibe. Progression 4: The Chromatic Slide (Step-Down) Creating your
Simple two-chord loops allow the rhythm and melody to breathe. Neo soul often loops a major chord and a minor chord seamlessly. Imaj9 - iim11 Example in G Major: Gmaj9 - Am11
Bluesy and driving; used to create tension. (Formula: 1 - 3 - 5 - b7) Extended Chords: Adding the Flavor
These chords provide a lush, warm, and bright contrast to minor chords.