Afro house chord progressions

In afro house the percussion leads, and the chords leave room for it: short minor loops, often only two or three chords, repeated with small changes. These are in A.

  • Free
  • No account
  • Runs in your browser
  • Any key
  • MIDI download

Minor two-chord

A minor
AmiDmiv

i to iv. Simple and hypnotic under busy percussion.

Open in the generator →

Falling loop

A minor
AmiGVIIFVIGVII

i, VII, VI, VII. Rolls between the major chords and back.

Open in the generator →

Dorian warmth

A dorian
Am7i7D7IV7

i7 to IV7. The soulful Dorian move with sevenths.

Open in the generator →

Three-chord minor

A minor
AmiFVIGVII

i, VI, VII. A short loop with a lift at the end.

Open in the generator →

Making them sound like afro house

  • Keep the chords sparse and short so the percussion has room.
  • Try the chords on a marimba-like pluck or a soft pad, and keep the rhythm of the chords in conversation with the percussion.
  • Pair the chords with our afro house drum pattern to hear them in a groove.

Every progression on the site, in every key, as MIDI in one zip: free MIDI chord progressions.

More chord progressions

Chord progressions by key

Play these chords with VISIONS OF TOMORROW →71 Serum 2 presets for house and techno, with pads, keys, plucks and stabs made for chords like these. $29.

Or start with the free pack: 24 sounds from all three packs, and a 25% code for the full packs a few days later.

Questions

What chords are used in afro house?

Mostly minor and Dorian chords in short loops of two to four chords. The harmony stays simple so the percussion can carry the track.

What tempo is afro house?

Usually 118 to 124 BPM.

How do I make afro house chords sound right?

Use short, rhythmic chords on a soft sound, leave space between them, and let the percussion pattern decide where they fall.

More free tools

Guides