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 Lofi Chord Progressions: 11 Easy Ways to Build Nostalgic Lo-Fi Chords
 
 [25]Beat Making[26]Inspiration[27]Music Theory[28]Video
 [29]Anthony Albanese  ·  3 Aug 2023  ·  9 minute read
 Share this article:
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 Lo-fi music is known for its lush chords and warm [39]chord progressions.
 
 Craft your next hit with a collection of over two million exclusive, royalty
 free hooks, loops, FX, vocals, beats and more. <a href="https://
 samples.landr.com/?utm_campaign=
 acquisition_platform_en_us_samples-en-generic-ad&utm_medium=organic_post&
 utm_source=blog&utm_content=en-generic-ad&utm_term=general">Try LANDR Samples</
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 a>
 
 Craft your next hit with a collection of over two million exclusive, royalty
 free hooks, loops, FX, vocals, beats and more. [40]Try LANDR Samples
 
 
 There’s something about lo-fi chords that give them a [41]nostalgic feeling
 though.
 
 The pairing of[42] jazz harmony with a [43]lo-fi aesthetic will get you there
 most of the time, but there are specific chords and chord progressions that can
 really hook a listener in.
 
 In this article, I’m going to cover lo-fi chord progressions that’ll make your
 lo-fi beats stand out.
 
 I’ll also explain what colours and textures you can use on your lo-fi chords to
 [44]achieve a retro, nostalgic sound.
 
 I’ll be using some [45]music theory lingo in this article, and I’ll be linking
 to several resources along the way—just in case you happen to get lost.
 
 Product imageProduct image
 
 Find lo-fi inspiration.
 
 [46]Get Free Lo-Fi Samples
 
 If you want to use these lo-fi chords and progressions in your productions, 
 [47]get the MIDI files here.
 
 
 1. Dmin11 – Ebmin11
 
 This simple two-chord progression goes a long way. I know what you’re thinking–
 only two chords?
 
 Hear me out. This chord progression uses parallelism. The chords are only a
 semitone away from each other, but the sonic difference is astounding.
 
 This chord progression uses [48]extensions like the ninth, and eleventh of the
 scale they’re from.
 
 Adding these colours will make your chords sound more lush and [49]emotional.
 
  
 
 Get the free lo-fi chord progressions MIDI pack
 
 [50]Get the free MIDI pack
 
 2. Dmin11 – Gmin7 – Dmin11 – Ebmin11 – C#dim7
 
 I heard you complaining about the lack of chords in the last progression, so I
 expanded on it.
 
 It starts with the same chord as the first progression, but I’ve added a Gmin11
 and C#dim7 chord.
 
 [52]Diminished chords function as a dominant chord, so they work well to get
 you back home.
 
 Diminished chords are built on minor third intervals. This gives them a very
 dark, but sophisticated sound.
 
 Perfect to use in any [53]lo-fi beat you’ve got on the go.
 
 3. Amin11 – D7 – Fmaj7 – Cmaj7
 
 This progression has some of the most emotional harmonic movement you’ll ever
 hear. It happens when the D7 chord falls to the F major 7.
 
 This happens because D7 and F major share several of the same notes–except one.
 
 The F sharp falling to F natural is at the core of what makes this progression
 so emotional.
 
 Finishing off on a C major 7 chord keeps the mood uplifting, before returning
 to its minor counterpart.
 
  
 
 Get the free lo-fi chord progressions MIDI pack
 
 [54]Get the free MIDI pack
 
 4. Fmin9 – Ebmaj9
 
 This one is a lot like the first chord progression. It’s not completely
 parallel, but the root movement is similar.
 
 The change from minor to major is what gives this progression its own vibe.
 
 The added ninth to the Ebmaj7 chord makes this one sound very uplifting–making
 it perfect for any happier Lo-fi jams you’ve got going on.
 
 5. Cmin11 – Fmin9 – Cmin11 – G7#5
 
 This progression contains a chord with some serious texture happening. I’m
 talking about the sharp 5 on the G7 chord.
 
 Also known as an augmented seventh chord, the G7#5 carries a weight that
 resolves nicely back to the Cmin11.
 
 This type of chord always carries a mysterious but nostalgic feeling whenever I
 hear it. It’s no wonder that you’ll find it in several Lo-fi jams.
 
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 6. Ebmaj9 – Abmaj13
 
 This progression might be the happiest in this list. It’s completely major,
 with some nice extensions to boot.
 
 I know, we’re working with two chords again. If you’re working on a slow bop
 this might be all you need.
 
 The F note that is the major ninth extension on the Ebmaj9 chord remains static
 moving into the Abmaj13 chord. It becomes the thirteenth! This static movement
 makes this chord progression dense, but colourful.
 
 Get the free lo-fi chord progressions MIDI pack
 
 [57]Get the free MIDI pack
 
 7. Gmaj7 – F#min7 – Amin7b5
 
 You’ve arrived at the most chill sounding progression in this list. The reason
 why this chord progression brings the chill factor is the last chord that turns
 around to the top.
 
 The minor seven flat five, or half-diminished chord carries a darker colour
 than a regular minor chord. It’s borrowed from the parallel [59]minor key and
 serves as a plagal [60]cadence back to the G major chord.
 
 It’s a little out of place, but most chill things usually are.
 
 8. Gmin9 – Ebmaj9 – Cmin11 – Ebminmaj7
 
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 Just like the last progression, this one has another unique type of chord
 quality that brings home the mystery factor.
 
 I’m talking about the minor-major seven chord. It’s built with a minor triad
 but includes a major 7 on top.
 
 This chord is one that you might associate with mysterious moments in old
 thriller movies.
 
 That’s why I think this chord reigns in the nostalgia factor. It’s a perfect
 way to get back home in this minor sounding progression.
 
  
 
 Get the free lo-fi chord progressions MIDI pack
 
 [62]Get the free MIDI pack
 
 9. CMaj9 – B7aug5#9 – Emin9 – EbMaj7Aug5 – Dmaj7 – DbMaj7Aug5 – CMaj7 – F/B
 
 Here’s a very [64]soulful chord progression that ends with a nostalgic sounding
 2-5-1 progression,
 
 What makes this progression so interesting is all the augmented passing chords
 between each diatonic chord.
 
 These augmented chords don’t really belong to the key and are fairly dissonant,
 but they’re great when used as a pathway to the more pleasing major and minor
 sevenths and nine chords.
 
 The chord progression also ends in a very sweet yet mysterious F/B chord that
 implies that the chord progression has places to go next.
 
  
 
 10. Cmin9 – Fmin9 – F/G – DbMaj9 – Cmin9 – Fmin9 – F/G – G7b9aug5
 
 Here’s a nice chord progression in C minor that makes some interesting moves in
 the bass.
 
 Moving from Cmin9 to Fmin9 it’s interesting to then go a tone above Fmin9 to G
 major while still keeping the F in the bass.
 
 Product imageProduct image
 
 Our favorite lo-fi sounds
 
 [65]Get Floral - Lofi JazzHop
 
 This lateral movement is cool because it keeps an F note in the bass from the
 previous chord while moving to G major.
 
 Depending on where you want to go with the chord progression, you could also
 alternate between a DbMaj9 chord instead of the G7b9aug5 chord at the end.
 
 11. F#Maj9 – BMaj9 – AMaj9 – EMaj9 – F#Maj9 – BMaj9 – AMaj9 – DMaj9
 
 Here’s a great example of how exclusively using one type of chord—in this case
 the major 9 chord—is a totally great way to make a soulful lofi chord
 progression.
 
 The trick of course is to find ways of voicing and spacing the chords together
 so they blend nicely on the keyboard and are ultimately easier to play.
 
 Shown in this example is just one way of voicing this chord progression, but
 don’t be afraid to take the artistic license to decide how a chord progression
 like this should be voiced.
 
 Get the free lo-fi chord progressions MIDI pack
 
 [66]Get the free MIDI pack
 [68]
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 Nostalgia in Numbers
 
 It’s interesting that these colorful chords make us feel a certain way,
 especially when they’re paired together in a chord progression.
 
 Knowing how to colour your chords is one of the benefits of knowing music
 theory. So, keep learning and keep painting lo-fi music.
 
 Share this article:
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 [76]
 Anthony AlbaneseAnthony Albanese
 
 Anthony is a music producer and educator with notable placements for Universal,
 Guitar Center and CBC. He currently resides in Montreal and leads LANDR's [78]
 YouTube channel & [79]Premium Courses education platform. He also works as
 composer and producer at [80]RVRSPlay and founded jazz pop duo Elluisoir. [81]
 Connect with Anthony on LANDR Network!
 
 [82]@Anthony Albanese
 
 Gear guides, tips, tutorials, inspiration and more—delivered weekly.
 
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