Afrobeats chord progressions

Afrobeats harmony is bright and simple, with roots in highlife: short major loops, often two or three chords, played on guitar, keys or plucks that dance with the percussion. These are in C major and A Dorian.

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Highlife

C major
CIFIVGV

I, IV, V. C, F, G. The three chords at the root of highlife and a lot of afrobeats.

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Two-chord sway

C major
AmviFIV

vi to IV. Am to F. It starts on the minor chord, which makes it a little wistful.

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The four-chord loop

C major
CIAmviFIVGV

I, vi, IV, V. C, Am, F, G. Warm and familiar, common in afro-pop.

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Dorian groove

A dorian
Am7i7D7IV7

i7 to IV7. Am7 to D7. A minor groove that stays light.

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Making them sound like afrobeats

  • Play the chords in short, rhythmic stabs on a guitar-like pluck or a marimba, not as long pads.
  • Let the chord rhythm follow the 3-3-2 pattern of the percussion.
  • Try them over a beat in the drum machine on this site, set to around 105 BPM.

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

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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.

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Questions

What chords are used in afrobeats?

Mostly simple major-key loops of two to four chords, with highlife roots, plus minor and Dorian grooves. The rhythm of the chords matters as much as the chords.

What BPM is afrobeats?

Usually 95 to 115 BPM.

Which instrument plays the chords in afrobeats?

Often a clean electric guitar, keys or a plucked synth, playing short syncopated patterns.

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