R&B and neo soul chord progressions

R&B and neo soul live on seventh chords and smooth movement between them. These progressions are in C major and A Dorian with the sevenths on, voiced so the notes the chords share stay in place.

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The ii-V-I

C major
Dm7ii7G7V7Cmaj7Imaj7

ii7, V7, Imaj7. Dm7, G7, Cmaj7. The jazz cadence, used all over soul and R&B.

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The descending walk

C major
Fmaj7IVmaj7Em7iii7Dm7ii7Cmaj7Imaj7

IVmaj7, iii7, ii7, Imaj7. Fmaj7, Em7, Dm7, Cmaj7. One step down at a time, slow and smooth.

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Dorian minor

A dorian
Am7i7D7IV7

i7 to IV7. Am7 to D7. Minor but warm, thanks to the bright IV chord of Dorian.

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Sad R&B loop

C major
Am7vi7Fmaj7IVmaj7Cmaj7Imaj7G7V7

vi7, IVmaj7, Imaj7, V7. Am7, Fmaj7, Cmaj7, G7. The sad pop loop, softened by the sevenths.

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Making them sound like r&b

  • Keep the sevenths on, and try adding ninths in your DAW for a fuller neo soul sound.
  • Play the chords on an electric piano or a soft pad, and let them overlap a little.
  • Swing the drums and lay the chords slightly behind the beat for a laid-back feel.

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

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Questions

What chords are used in R&B?

Seventh chords above all: major sevenths, minor sevenths and dominant sevenths, often extended with ninths. Progressions like ii-V-I and descending steps are common.

What is the difference between R&B and neo soul chords?

Neo soul usually goes further into jazz harmony, with ninths, elevenths and more chromatic movement. Modern R&B often uses simpler loops of two to four seventh chords.

Why do seventh chords sound smooth?

A seventh chord has four notes, so it shares more notes with the next chord. Fewer notes move between chords, and the movement sounds softer.

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