Neo soul relies on syncopated rhythms. Practice playing chords right after the downbeat (on the "and" of 1 or the "and" of 2) to create a relaxed, swinging feel. 5. Summary Cheat Sheet Chord Type Quick Piano Voicing Example (Root C) m9 1 - b3 - 5 - b7 - 9 Left: C - G | Right: Bb - Eb - G Moody, Deep Maj9 1 - 3 - 5 - 7 - 9 Left: C - G | Right: B - D - E Dreamy, Warm 11 1 - b3 - 5 - b7 - 9 - 11 Left: C | Right: Bb - D - F - G Modern, Spacious 7(#9) 1 - 3 - 5 - b7 - #9 Left: C - E | Right: Bb - D# - G Gritty, Jazzy
To make your progressions sound more sophisticated, incorporate these colors: Adds a floating, modern texture.
Play a standard Cm9 . Then, instead of going to the natural Gm chord, borrow the bII chord from Phrygian: Db9#11 .
Progression 3: The Gospel-Inflected Plagal Cadence (Imaj9 - iv9)
Spelled-out MIDI notes for easy transcription into your DAW (Digital Audio Workstation).
Neo soul piano centers on , cyclic loops , and non-traditional resolutions . Rather than standard 2-5-1 progressions, it often uses minor 9th, 11th, and 13th chords moving in small, stepwise motions. 1. Essential Neo Soul Chord Types
Triads (three-note chords) sound too clean and traditional for neo soul. Instead, musicians use chord extensions to add color and tension:
Neo Soul is a genre that combines elements of soul, R&B, jazz, and hip-hop, characterized by its rich, soulful sound and often, complex chord progressions. Here are some popular Neo Soul chord progressions that you can play on piano:
Neo-soul is a genre of deep feeling and sophisticated sound. It blends the classic warmth of 1960s and 70s soul with the rhythmic sensibilities of hip-hop and the harmonic language of jazz, creating an intimate and emotionally compelling musical atmosphere. The sound is lush and expressive, driven by looping, hypnotic chord progressions that favor smooth voice-leading over the more direct resolutions of traditional jazz. For a pianist, mastering the lush textures of neo-soul is a transformative step that opens the door to a world of modern, soulful expression.
: Provides a free music sheet for Neo-soul/R&B progressions that pairs with their YouTube tutorials [23]. Jazz Piano Practice Sessions
Many neo-soul tracks utilize short, looped progressions that create a "vibe" rather than a standard narrative resolution. Orange Candy Music The "Glassper" Slide:
The "magic" of neo soul often lies in how you transition between chords:
F3, C4, E4 (Contains the Minor 3rd, Minor 7th, and the 9th extension) 4. Stylistic Techniques and Embellishments
Bm7b5→E7alt→Am9cap B m 7 b 5 right arrow cap E 7 a l t right arrow cap A m 9 A "darker" turnaround common in soulful gospel and R&B.
This is the most common sequence in modern R&B and neo soul. It creates a continuous cycle that never feels like it fully stops. (ii) →right arrow G7alt (V) →right arrow Cmaj9 (I) →right arrow Fmaj7 (IV)
Descending step-wise progressions are a staple of neo-soul, borrowing heavily from church harmony. Example in G Major: Cmaj9 (C - E - G - B - D) Bm7 (B - D - F# - A) Am9 (A - C - E - G - B) Gmaj9 (G - B - D - F# - A) Vibe: Emotional, nostalgic, and warm. Progression 4: The Chromatic Passing Chord Trick
This progression introduces non-diatonic passing chords to add that signature "slip-and-slide" movement. Example in C Major: Dm9 (D - F - A - C - E) Eb°7 (Eb - Gb - Bbb/A - C) — Passing Chord Em7 (E - G - B - D) A7(b9) (A - C# - G - Bb) Vibe: Sophisticated, jazzy, and highly dynamic. Progression 5: The "Plagal" Neo-Soul Loop