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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
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Lo-fi music is known for its lush chords and warm [39]chord progressions.
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Theres 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, Im going to cover lo-fi chord progressions thatll make your
lo-fi beats stand out.
Ill also explain what colours and textures you can use on your lo-fi chords to
[44]achieve a retro, nostalgic sound.
Ill be using some [45]music theory lingo in this article, and Ill be linking
to several resources along the way—just in case you happen to get lost.
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1. Dmin11 Ebmin11
This simple two-chord progression goes a long way. I know what youre 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 theyre from.
Adding these colours will make your chords sound more lush and [49]emotional.
 
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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 Ive 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 youve got on the go.
3. Amin11 D7 Fmaj7 Cmaj7
This progression has some of the most emotional harmonic movement youll 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 notesexcept 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.
 
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4. Fmin9 Ebmaj9
This one is a lot like the first chord progression. Its 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 upliftingmaking
it perfect for any happier Lo-fi jams youve got going on.
5. Cmin11 Fmin9 Cmin11 G7#5
This progression contains a chord with some serious texture happening. Im
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. Its no wonder that youll find it in several Lo-fi jams.
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6. Ebmaj9 Abmaj13
This progression might be the happiest in this list. Its completely major,
with some nice extensions to boot.
I know, were working with two chords again. If youre 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.
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7. Gmaj7 F#min7 Amin7b5
Youve 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. Its borrowed from the parallel [59]minor key and
serves as a plagal [60]cadence back to the G major chord.
Its 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.
Im talking about the minor-major seven chord. Its 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.
Thats why I think this chord reigns in the nostalgia factor. Its a perfect
way to get back home in this minor sounding progression.
 
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9. CMaj9 B7aug5#9 Emin9 EbMaj7Aug5 Dmaj7 DbMaj7Aug5 CMaj7 F/B
Heres 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 dont really belong to the key and are fairly dissonant,
but theyre 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
Heres a nice chord progression in C minor that makes some interesting moves in
the bass.
Moving from Cmin9 to Fmin9 its interesting to then go a tone above Fmin9 to G
major while still keeping the F in the bass.
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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
Heres 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
dont be afraid to take the artistic license to decide how a chord progression
like this should be voiced.
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Nostalgia in Numbers
Its interesting that these colorful chords make us feel a certain way,
especially when theyre 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.
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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
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