Exploring Soulful Chord Progressions for LoFi Hip Hop

soulful chord progressions

We talkin’ bout soulful chord progressions?

The sounds of soul music are as timeless as music itself. With its roots in gospel and blues, it has been a staple in popular music for decades, and its impact on musical culture can still be felt today. Soulful chord progressions have been used by countless artists to craft timeless classic hits and are an integral part of the genre.

chord progression is a sequence of chords that gives a song its overall structure. In soul music, chord progressions often focus on the raw emotion of the artist, which is why they are so memorable and effective. In this article, we will take a look at three soulful chord progressions and provide key examples of each.

Did you say, “12 bar blues?”

The first chord progression we will discuss is the 12-bar blues. This is a very common and well-known progression that has been used by countless soul and blues artists. The 12-bar blues typically consists of three chords; the tonic, subdominant and dominant. The tonic chord is the root of the key, the subdominant is the fourth chord in the key, and the dominant is the fifth chord in the key. The progression follows a pattern of four bars of the tonic chord, two bars of the subdominant chord, two bars of the tonic chord, one bar of the dominant chord, one bar of the tonic chord, and finally two bars of the dominant chord.

An example of the 12-bar blues progression is the classic Otis Redding hit “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay”. This song follows the 12-bar blues progression with the chords Bb, F, and C. Another classic example is Aretha Franklin’s “Respect”, which follows the same progression with the chords G, D, and A.

soulful chord progressions

Excuse me, but what is “I-IV-V-I”?

The second chord progression we will discuss is the “I-IV-V-I”, also known as the “50s progression”. This progression is a very common progression in soul music and is often used to create a sense of nostalgia or longing. The progression follows a pattern of four bars of the tonic chord, two bars of the subdominant chord, two bars of the dominant chord, and finally two bars of the tonic chord.

One example of the “I-IV-V-I” progression is the popular Sam Cooke hit “You Send Me”. This song follows the “I-IV-V-I” progression with the chords A, D, E, and A. Another example is Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On”, which follows the same progression with the chords F, Bb, C, and F.

soulful chord progressions

Alright, let’s talk “I-vi-IV-V”

Finally, the third chord progression we will discuss is the “I-vi-IV-V”, also known as the “Motown progression”. This progression is very similar to the “I-IV-V-I” progression, but with the addition of the minor sixth chord. This progression follows a pattern of four bars of the tonic chord, two bars of the minor sixth chord, two bars of the subdominant chord, and finally two bars of the dominant chord.

A classic example of the “I-vi-IV-V” progression is The Jackson 5 hit “ABC”. This song follows the “I-vi-IV-V” progression with the chords C, A minor, F, and G. Another example is the beloved Stevie Wonder song “Superstition”, which follows the same progression with the chords F, D minor, Bb, and C.

soulful chord progressions

Conclusion

As you can see, soulful chord progressions can be used to create timeless classics. Whether it’s the 12-bar blues, the “I-IV-V-I”, or the “I-vi-IV-V”, these progressions are sure to add emotion and depth to your music. Whether you’re a producer, artist, or a fan of the genre, these progressions are sure to inspire and add a unique flavor to your songs. Learn more about progressions with 7 Jazz Piano Chords That Sound Great for LoFi Hip Hop.