Chord Progression Imaj9-IVmaj7-iii7-vi7

Q: What is the "Neo-soul loop" progression?

A chord progression is a sequence of chords that repeats and provides the harmonic foundation of a song. "Neo-soul loop" is one of the popular progressions with a distinctive mood and sound.

Q: How do I transpose this progression?

Use the key selector at the top of the page. All chords are automatically recalculated to the chosen key and the fretboard diagrams update accordingly.

Q: Which scales work over this progression?

See the Theory block below: it lists suitable scales and modes for improvisation. Typically these are the scale of the main key and its related modes.

Q: How do I write a song based on this progression?

Choose a tempo and key, add a rhythmic pattern and melody. The progression is a framework: you can build any melody, harmonic decoration and rhythmic variation on top of it.

Rich neo-soul progression with extended chords. Warm, modern sound.

Key:

BPM

Positions & route

1 / 4

Музыкальный контекст

АккордC MajorТрезвучие

АрпеджиоC Major arpeggioТрезвучие

ГаммаC Major Scale7 нот

ЛадC Dorian

ТональностьC MajorМажорная тональность

ПрогрессияNeo-soul loopПоследовательность

Показывает, как текущий элемент связан с ладом, тональностью и используется в музыке.

Theory

General information

Name: Chord Progression Imaj9-IVmaj7-iii7-vi7
Type: Extended
Chord count: 4 chords
Tonal belonging: Major key (extended harmony)
Brief character: Rich neo-soul progression with extended chords. Warm, modern sound.

Progression composition

Degree sequence: Imaj9-IVmaj7-iii7-vi7
Chords & functions: Imaj9CΔ9tonic
IVmaj7FΔtonic
iii7Em7tonic
vi7Am7tonic
Notation variants: Imaj9–IVmaj7–iii7–vi7
1–4–3m–6m
Cmaj9–Fmaj7–Em7–Am7

Construction logic

Functional formula: TТоникаSСубдом.T
Movement logic: The progression is based on alternating harmonic functions.

How it sounds

Character: Soft, complex
Mood: Sophisticated, lyrical
Stability level: High — resolves to tonic
Sense of completeness: Complete — full cadential turnaround

Harmonic functions

Imaj9CΔ9Center of gravity, point of resttonic

IVmaj7FΔCenter of gravity, point of resttonic

iii7Em7Center of gravity, point of resttonic

vi7Am7Center of gravity, point of resttonic

How motion is created

Harmonic motion is based on alternating functions that create a sense of development and return.

Tensions & resolutions

Tension buildup: The progression moves cyclically without pronounced tension points.

Harmonic context

Natural keys: Cmajor Aminor
Transposition: The progression transposes to any key — the structure (Roman numerals) stays the same, only specific chords change.

Progression variability

Replace triads with seventh chords for a richer sound
Try chord inversions for smoother voice leading
Add passing chords between the main degrees

Connections & application

Related chords

Key chords of the progression — visit each chord page for voicings and theory.

CΔ9Imaj9 FΔIVmaj7 Em7iii7 Am7vi7

Related keys

Keys where this progression is most typical.

Cmajor Amajor

Related scales & modes

Scales for melody / soloing

CDorian CMinor pentatonic CMixolydian

Modes that reveal individual chords

Imaj9CΔ9 Ionian (major)

IVmaj7FΔ Lydian

iii7Em7 Phrygian

vi7Am7 Aeolian (natural minor)

Application in music

Musical scenarios

Not just a genre list — specific situations where this progression shines.

Modern R&B and soul — sounds warm and sophisticated with extended chords
Loops and grooves sit beautifully on top — you can build an entire track around it
Combines harmonic depth with a live, groovy feel

Genres & styles

Neo-Soul

soul

r&b

extended

Featured in songs

OverjoyedStevie Wonder

Brown SugarD'Angelo

Untitled (How Does It Feel)D'Angelo

On & OnErykah Badu

TyroneErykah Badu

Practice

How to play the progression

Learn each chord of the progression separately — make sure every note rings clearly.
Play the full progression without a metronome, focusing on clean transitions.
Set a metronome to 60 BPM and play each chord as whole notes (4 beats per chord).
Use the player at the top of the page for tempo control and an audio reference.

Chord change practice

Isolate each pair of adjacent chords and repeat the transition 10–20 times.
Start slow, increase by 5 BPM only when the transition is stable.
Split the progression in half and practice each half separately.
Watch for economy of motion — fingers should move as little as possible.

Rhythm work

Start with a simple downstroke on each beat.
Add alternation: down–up on each eighth note.
Try the "Whole → Quarters → Eighths" pattern from the player.
Play arpeggios instead of strumming to develop fingerpicking technique.

Improvising over the progression

Sing the chord tones aloud while playing — this develops your inner ear.
Play a 3–4 note melody over each chord, using notes from the compatible scale.
Try changing the rhythmic pattern of the melody while keeping the same notes.
Record yourself and listen back — this is the best way to assess progress.

Playing in different keys

Use the key selector at the top to see chords in a new key.
Start with nearby keys (±1 accidental): e.g., from C → G or F.
Play the progression 5–10 times in each new key before moving on.
Goal: play the progression in any key without looking at a reference.

Similar progressions

Smooth jazz cycle (ii7-V7-Imaj7-VImaj7)

Scales for this style

Dorian Ionian (major)Melodic minor

What is the "Neo-soul loop" progression?

How do I transpose this progression?

Which scales work over this progression?

How do I write a song based on this progression?

Chord Progression Imaj9-IVmaj7-iii7-vi7

Rich neo-soul progression with extended chords. Warm, modern sound.

Key:

BPM

Positions & route

1 / 4

Музыкальный контекст

АккордC MajorТрезвучие

АрпеджиоC Major arpeggioТрезвучие

ГаммаC Major Scale7 нот

ЛадC Dorian

ТональностьC MajorМажорная тональность

ПрогрессияNeo-soul loopПоследовательность

Показывает, как текущий элемент связан с ладом, тональностью и используется в музыке.

Theory

General information

Name: Chord Progression Imaj9-IVmaj7-iii7-vi7
Type: Extended
Chord count: 4 chords
Tonal belonging: Major key (extended harmony)
Brief character: Rich neo-soul progression with extended chords. Warm, modern sound.

Progression composition

Degree sequence: Imaj9-IVmaj7-iii7-vi7
Chords & functions: Imaj9CΔ9tonic
IVmaj7FΔtonic
iii7Em7tonic
vi7Am7tonic
Notation variants: Imaj9–IVmaj7–iii7–vi7
1–4–3m–6m
Cmaj9–Fmaj7–Em7–Am7

Construction logic

Functional formula: TТоникаSСубдом.T
Movement logic: The progression is based on alternating harmonic functions.

How it sounds

Character: Soft, complex
Mood: Sophisticated, lyrical
Stability level: High — resolves to tonic
Sense of completeness: Complete — full cadential turnaround

Harmonic functions

Imaj9CΔ9Center of gravity, point of resttonic

IVmaj7FΔCenter of gravity, point of resttonic

iii7Em7Center of gravity, point of resttonic

vi7Am7Center of gravity, point of resttonic

How motion is created

Harmonic motion is based on alternating functions that create a sense of development and return.

Tensions & resolutions

Tension buildup: The progression moves cyclically without pronounced tension points.

Harmonic context

Natural keys: Cmajor Aminor
Transposition: The progression transposes to any key — the structure (Roman numerals) stays the same, only specific chords change.

Progression variability

Replace triads with seventh chords for a richer sound
Try chord inversions for smoother voice leading
Add passing chords between the main degrees

Connections & application

Related chords

Key chords of the progression — visit each chord page for voicings and theory.

CΔ9Imaj9 FΔIVmaj7 Em7iii7 Am7vi7

Related keys

Keys where this progression is most typical.

Cmajor Amajor

Related scales & modes

Scales for melody / soloing

CDorian CMinor pentatonic CMixolydian

Modes that reveal individual chords

Imaj9CΔ9 Ionian (major)

IVmaj7FΔ Lydian

iii7Em7 Phrygian

vi7Am7 Aeolian (natural minor)

Application in music

Musical scenarios

Not just a genre list — specific situations where this progression shines.

Modern R&B and soul — sounds warm and sophisticated with extended chords
Loops and grooves sit beautifully on top — you can build an entire track around it
Combines harmonic depth with a live, groovy feel

Genres & styles

Neo-Soul

soul

r&b

extended

Featured in songs

OverjoyedStevie Wonder

Brown SugarD'Angelo

Untitled (How Does It Feel)D'Angelo

On & OnErykah Badu

TyroneErykah Badu

Practice

How to play the progression

Learn each chord of the progression separately — make sure every note rings clearly.
Play the full progression without a metronome, focusing on clean transitions.
Set a metronome to 60 BPM and play each chord as whole notes (4 beats per chord).
Use the player at the top of the page for tempo control and an audio reference.

Chord change practice

Isolate each pair of adjacent chords and repeat the transition 10–20 times.
Start slow, increase by 5 BPM only when the transition is stable.
Split the progression in half and practice each half separately.
Watch for economy of motion — fingers should move as little as possible.

Rhythm work

Start with a simple downstroke on each beat.
Add alternation: down–up on each eighth note.
Try the "Whole → Quarters → Eighths" pattern from the player.
Play arpeggios instead of strumming to develop fingerpicking technique.

Improvising over the progression

Sing the chord tones aloud while playing — this develops your inner ear.
Play a 3–4 note melody over each chord, using notes from the compatible scale.
Try changing the rhythmic pattern of the melody while keeping the same notes.
Record yourself and listen back — this is the best way to assess progress.

Playing in different keys

Use the key selector at the top to see chords in a new key.
Start with nearby keys (±1 accidental): e.g., from C → G or F.
Play the progression 5–10 times in each new key before moving on.
Goal: play the progression in any key without looking at a reference.

Similar progressions

Smooth jazz cycle (ii7-V7-Imaj7-VImaj7)

Scales for this style

Dorian Ionian (major)Melodic minor

What is the "Neo-soul loop" progression?

How do I transpose this progression?

Which scales work over this progression?

How do I write a song based on this progression?

Chords & Arpeggios

Scales & Modes

Harmony & Theory

Tools & Practice

Chord Progression Imaj9-IVmaj7-iii7-vi7

Positions & route

Музыкальный контекст

Theory

General information

Progression composition

Construction logic

How it sounds

Harmonic functions

Tensions & resolutions

Harmonic context

Progression variability

Connections & application

Related chords

Related keys

Related scales & modes

Application in music

Musical scenarios

Genres & styles

Featured in songs

Practice

How to play the progression

Chord change practice

Rhythm work

Improvising over the progression

Playing in different keys

Related

Frequently Asked Questions

Chord Progression Imaj9-IVmaj7-iii7-vi7

Positions & route

Музыкальный контекст

Theory

General information

Progression composition

Construction logic

How it sounds

Harmonic functions

Tensions & resolutions

Harmonic context

Progression variability

Connections & application

Related chords

Related keys

Related scales & modes

Application in music

Musical scenarios

Genres & styles

Featured in songs

Practice

How to play the progression

Chord change practice

Rhythm work

Improvising over the progression

Playing in different keys

Related

Frequently Asked Questions