: Keeping the same note as the highest note across different chords creates harmonic continuity.
Cm9 – Abmaj9 – Fm9 – G13
Download the ultimate Neo Soul Chord Progressions Piano PDF. Learn 5 essential loops, advanced voicings (m9, 13#11), and rhythm techniques to sound like D'Angelo & Robert Glasper instantly. Free PDF inside.
Common Jazz Piano Voicings Guide – A technical reference for the building blocks of soul and jazz harmony. 4 Steps to Play Neo Soul Chords on Piano
: Borrowed from gospel, sliding into a chord tone (like the 3rd or 7th) from a half-step below adds expression. neo soul chord progressions piano pdf
To play neo-soul, you must expand your chord vocabulary. Standard three-note triads sound too plain. Neo-soul relies heavily on extended chords, alterations, and specific chord types. Extended Chords (7ths, 9ths, 11ths, 13ths)
Professional Neo Soul players don't just stack notes; they use specific "grips" to get that fat sound.
This guide breaks down the core music theory behind neo soul chord progressions on the piano, provides essential formulas, and offers step-by-step examples to elevate your playing. 1. The Core Harmonic Elements of Neo Soul
Inspired by D'Angelo's "Untitled (How Does It Feel)," this progression uses a i-VII-III-vi progression with altered dominants. : Keeping the same note as the highest
The most important thing is to use whatever sounds good to you in that moment. A common mistake is to use too many chord tones, leading to a cluttered sound. Sometimes, a simple 7th or 9th chord is all you need.
If you want to expand your library, several online resources offer ready-made neo-soul chord progression PDFs. Here are a few to get you started:
To play authentic neo soul on the piano, you need to move beyond standard triads and embrace extensions (like 9ths, 11ths, and 13ths) and chromatic movement
Play the colorful extension notes (3rd, 7th, 9th, 11th). Grace Notes and "Slip" Notes Free PDF inside
If you want, I can generate the full PDF content now: voicing charts, 12 progressions in every key, and two transcribed examples — tell me which key you prefer for the sample pieces.
Set a metronome to a slow hip-hop groove (70–80 BPM). Practice a single progression, focusing entirely on playing slightly behind the beat.
Neo-soul isn't just about what notes you play; it's about when you play them.
: Unlike jazz, which frequently uses 2-5-1 resolutions, Neo Soul often uses loops that avoid a final resolution to create a continuous, laid-back vibe. Common Chord Progressions