Using a dominant chord to lead to a chord other than the tonic. Tritone Substitution: Replacing a dominant 7th7 raised to the t h power chord with another dominant 7th7 raised to the t h power chord a tritone away (e.g., Db7 instead of G7 in a C key).
Formula 1 - b3 - 5 - b7 - 9 . This chord provides a moody, mellow, and deep vibe.
Often used for tension before a resolution. Major 7th/9th Chords: Used for a dreamy, uplifting feel. 2. Chord Voicings & Inversions
Dm11 (hold) → add upper structure triads (Fmaj, G, Am) neo soul chord progressions piano pdf
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
PianoPig Neo-Soul Archives – Offers PDF resource sheets for specific beginner and advanced lessons.
Neo-soul piano borrows heavily from gospel keyboard styling. Imitate a singer or a guitar player by quickly flipping or sliding into a chord tone. Using a dominant chord to lead to a
A dark, moody, and deeply rhythmic progression perfect for mid-tempo hip-hop beats and neo soul ballads. E Minor Chords: Em9 – Am9 – Bm9 Piano Voicing Guide: Em9: LH: E | RH: G - B - D - F# Am9: LH: A | RH: C - E - G - B Bm9: LH: B | RH: D - F# - A - C#
In neo-soul, many complex chords, particularly , can be voiced by splitting a single chord between your two hands. The left hand plays a simple minor triad while the right hand plays a major triad built from the note a whole step below the root of the left-hand chord.
Minor 11th chords are a staple of the neo soul sound, offering a rich, suspended texture. Harmonic Tension This chord provides a moody, mellow, and deep vibe
To help you practice away from your screen, you can generate a by using your browser's Print function ( Ctrl+P or Cmd+P ) and selecting "Save as PDF" . This will format this entire guide into a clean, printable cheat sheet for your piano music stand.
Let's get these chords moving. Here are some quintessential progressions that define the neo-soul sound.
Many neo soul songs only use two chords. The magic is in the voice leading and the rhythm. Dbm9 (Db - E - Ab - B) Chord 2: Gbm9 (Gb - A - Db - E) 4. The Melancholy Minor IV-i (Fm9 - Cm9) Fm9: F - Ab - C - Eb - G Cm9: C - Eb - G - Bb - D How to Play Neo Soul Piano: Tips for the Right "Feel"
Neo-soul piano relies on extended chords (9ths, 11ths, 13ths) and non-functional harmony
Triads (three-note chords) sound too clean and traditional for neo soul. Instead, musicians use chord extensions to add color and tension: