Soul Chord Progressions

10 Soul chord progressions. Pick one to see the chords by key, listen to it and download the MIDI.

• Motown Classic Progression

  I – VIm – IIm – V

  Key of C: C – Am – Dm – G

  Progression representing Motown's golden era of the 1960s.

• What's Going On Progression

  Imaj7 – VIm7 – IIm7 – V7

  Key of C: Cmaj7 – Am7 – Dm7 – G7

  From Marvin Gaye's masterpiece. Jazz-influenced sophistication.

• Soul 7sus Progression

  Isus4 – I – IVsus4 – IV

  Key of C: Csus4 – C – Fsus4 – F

  Smooth soul progression using 7sus chords.

• Philadelphia Soul Progression

  Imaj7 – IIm7 – IIIm7 – IVmaj7

  Key of C: Cmaj7 – Dm7 – Em7 – Fmaj7

  Philly soul sound of MFSB and O'Jays.

• Soul Circle of Fourths

  Imaj7 – IVmaj7 – VIIm7♭5 – IIIm7 – VIm7 – IIm7 – V7 – Imaj7

  Key of C: Cmaj7 – Fmaj7 – Bm7b5 – Em7 – Am7 – Dm7 – G7 – Cmaj7

  Classic soul/R&B progression descending circle of fourths.

• Sam Cooke Style Progression

  I – IV – I – V7

  Key of C: C – F – C – G7

  Gospel-derived progression from soul father Sam Cooke.

• Aretha Franklin Style Progression

  I7 – IV7 – I7 – V7

  Key of C: C7 – F7 – C7 – G7

  Powerful progression from the Queen of Soul.

• Northern Soul Progression

  I – IIm7 – IV – V

  Key of C: C – Dm7 – F – G

  Northern soul progression popular in UK.

• Al Green Style Progression

  Imaj7 – IIIm7 – IVmaj7 – V7

  Key of C: Cmaj7 – Em7 – Fmaj7 – G7

  Al Green's smooth and sexy Memphis soul.

• Blue-Eyed Soul Progression

  Imaj7 – VIm7 – IVmaj7 – Vmaj7

  Key of C: Cmaj7 – Am7 – Fmaj7 – Gmaj7

  Soul by white artists. Hall & Oates style.