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R&B / Soul chord progressions

Every R&B / Soul progression Adam posts, with the chord shapes, the strum, the groove and what the changes are doing. Open any of them for the shapes and the feel. No account, nothing to sign in to.

  1. Bm7 · E7

    i7 · IV7 in B · 100 bpm

    The minor-seven-to-dominant lift — smoky, modern, endless.

  2. G · C

    I · IV in G · 96 bpm

    Two chords and a whole Motown catalogue — "My Girl" lives here.

  3. G · Em7 · C · D7

    I · vi7 · IV · V7 in G · 104 bpm

    The doo-wop changes grown up — sevenths in the bass seats, backbeat on top.

  4. Gmaj7 · Bm7 · Cmaj7 · D7

    Imaj7 · iii7 · IVmaj7 · V7 in G · 72 bpm

    Every chord here is a seventh chord. That extra note keeps each one sounding a little unfinished, so the progression flows from one chord to the next without ever fully settling. That’s the smooth, easy sound soul ballads are built on.

  5. Am7 · D7

    i7 · IV7 in A · 100 bpm

    The minor-seven-to-dominant lift — smoky, modern, endless.

  6. A · D

    I · IV in A · 96 bpm

    Two chords and a whole Motown catalogue — "My Girl" lives here.

  7. A · F#m7 · D · E7

    I · vi7 · IV · V7 in A · 104 bpm

    The doo-wop changes grown up — sevenths in the bass seats, backbeat on top.

  8. Amaj7 · C#m7 · Dmaj7 · E7

    Imaj7 · iii7 · IVmaj7 · V7 in A · 72 bpm

    Every chord here is a seventh chord. That extra note keeps each one sounding a little unfinished, so the progression flows from one chord to the next without ever fully settling. That’s the smooth, easy sound soul ballads are built on.