R&B Chord Progression Generator
Modern R&B and neo-soul are built on lush, extended harmony — ninths and major-ninths that sound rich and vocal-friendly. Here's how those progressions are put together and how to generate them as MIDI.
Why R&B progressions sound the way they do
R&B harmony is defined by extended chords — dominant 9ths, minor 9ths and major 9ths — voiced smoothly so each chord melts into the next. The classic engine of the style is a ii–V–I motion dressed up with those extensions, often over a laid-back 60–100 BPM groove. The goal is warmth and movement without harshness, so voice leading matters more here than in almost any other genre.
Common R&B chord progressions
Here's the core progression this generator uses for R&B, realized in C major:
| Step | Roman | Chord in C major |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ii9 | Dm9 |
| 2 | V9 | G9 |
| 3 | Imaj9 | Cmaj9 |
| 4 | vi9 | Am9 |
Tips for writing R&B progressions
- Push Complexity up to bring in 9ths — that's the core of the R&B/neo-soul sound.
- Keep tempos relaxed (roughly 65–95 BPM) and let the drums sit slightly behind the beat.
- Turn on Smooth voicing: sharing common tones between chords is what makes extended harmony sound silky instead of cluttered.
- A major key gives the brightest neo-soul colour; switch to minor for a darker, slow-jam mood.
The generator produces a full multitrack MIDI arrangement (chords, bass, melody & drums) plus stems you can drag into any DAW. It's free, needs no signup, and everything you make is royalty-free.
Frequently asked questions
What chord progression is used in R&B music?
A core R&B progression is ii9 – V9 – Imaj9 – vi9, which in C major is Dm9 – G9 – Cmaj9 – Am9. You can generate this as editable MIDI and hear it instantly with the generator above.
What key and tempo suit R&B?
R&B typically sits around 85 BPM in a major key. Push Complexity up to bring in 9ths — that's the core of the R&B/neo-soul sound.
Are the generated R&B chords royalty-free?
Yes. Everything you generate is composed algorithmically from music theory (not sampled from existing songs), so it is original and royalty-free for personal or commercial use, with no attribution required.