Chromatic passing chords slide into your target destination from just one half-step above or below, adding a sleek, professional slickness to your transitions. (iii) →right arrow Ebm7 (biii - Passing) →right arrow Dm9 (ii) →right arrow G7#9 (V) 3. Advanced Voicing and Execution Techniques
Many neo-soul tracks rely on a simple two- or three-chord loop that can repeat endlessly without feeling repetitive. (Borrowing a chord from the parallel minor scale) Example in F Major: Fmaj9 (F - A - C - E - G) Ebmaj9 (Eb - G - Bb - D - F) Vibe: Laid-back, hypnotic, and perfect for improvising. 3. Advanced Piano Voicing Techniques
Spelled-out MIDI notes for easy transcription into your DAW (Digital Audio Workstation).
Neo soul chord progressions piano pdf showing Dm9 to Fmaj9 voicings with fingerings.
What is your current (beginner, intermediate, advanced)? neo soul chord progressions piano pdf
Adds sharp jazz/blues tension. 7b13: Creates a dark, romantic pulling sensation. Minor 11th Chords as a Base
This genre often takes the extended chords of jazz (like ) and places them into more accessible, looped progressions rather than the traditional, moving harmony of jazz standards. The result is a sound that feels both deeply soulful and modern.
Introduction Neo-soul chord progressions prioritize extended and altered harmonies, smooth voice leading, and tasteful use of chromaticism. Rather than relying on simple triads, neo-soul uses 7ths, 9ths, 11ths, 13ths, added tones, and quartal or cluster voicings. The goal is to create sonically rich textures that support soulful melodies and grooves while leaving space for rhythmic and dynamic interplay.
This progression, similar to The Weeknd's "Think of Me," uses a I-VI-ii-V progression with extended chords. The Ab7(#11) chord adds a bright, uplifting quality. Chromatic passing chords slide into your target destination
Mastering Neo-Soul chord progressions requires more than memorizing a PDF of chord charts; it demands an understanding of emotional tension and release. The genre takes the complexity of jazz theory and applies the rhythmic grounding of hip-hop and the spiritual weight of gospel. By utilizing extensions (9ths, 11ths, 13ths), embracing slash chords for bass movement, and borrowing from parallel modes, the pianist can transform simple triads into the lush, multi-layered textures that define the Neo-Soul aesthetic. Whether through the chromatic walk-downs of a ballad or the Lydian vamp of a groove, the ultimate goal of these progressions is to provide a rich, harmonic bed for the raw human expression that characterizes the genre.
Here are five definitive neo-soul chord formulas. Practice these in multiple keys to build muscle memory. Progression 1: The Smooth
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If one were to download a PDF of Neo-Soul standards, certain harmonic movements would appear with frequency. These are the idioms that define the genre. (Borrowing a chord from the parallel minor scale)
Neo soul often breaks traditional harmonic rules, preferring chromatic resolutions non-diatonic shifts The "Half-Step Slide"
Formula: Root (LH) – 3, 6, 9, #11 (RH)
Emerging in the 1980s and 90s, neo-soul pioneered by artists like draws heavily from jazz, gospel, and R&B.
Learning the chords is just the first step. You also need to play them with the right feeling. Use the "Shedding" Method