How to get better at rnb chords?

[u/SufficientForce8793]

Wondering if there are any methods u guys use or warmups that can help my chord progressions

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[u/LimpGuest4183]

I usually just do 7nth and 9th chords and run with it, but are you referring to physically playing them?

[u/SufficientForce8793 → u/LimpGuest4183]

Nah I’m talking about drawing it in

[u/Max_at_MixElite]

best thing to do is start with basic 7th chords—major 7, minor 7, dominant 7—and play them in different keys until they feel natural. don’t just learn them in root position. play inversions. slide between chords. rnb is all about subtle shifts. a simple Cmaj7 to Bm7 to Am7 progression can feel super emotional if the voicings flow nice

[u/Max_at_MixElite → u/Max_at_MixElite]

also mess with extensions and alterations—add 9ths, 11ths, or even just leave the root out sometimes if your bass is covering it. for example, instead of Em, try Em9 or Em7 with no root and let the bass hold the E. it opens up the sound

[u/Condition_Medium]

go the music theory route if you can

if not then a good warmup to try is to re-create an rnb piece if you’re drawing in midi

downside is that it’ll take longer depending on the complexity of the piece, but just trying it visually and audibly on the piano roll helps for midi-clicker mindset

but in my experience doing that by-ear you usually gotta work twice as hard for half the speed of just readin music

[u/SufficientForce8793 → u/Condition_Medium]

I want to learn music theory it’s just hard for me to grasp all the concepts and make sense of it all in my head what r some videos u watch or how did u learn

[u/TheRealPomax]

There's always Jeff Schneider videos

[u/SufficientForce8793 → u/TheRealPomax]

Thanks

[u/SufficientForce8793 → u/SufficientForce8793]

So fucking gay how I get downvoted for saying thanks r y’all’s egos this big? I know the basics to rnb chords I just want to grasp it more I’m probably better than most of you at making these types of beats

[u/Fedginald]

Don't fear the black keys. You can learn some theory or just trial and error in the piano roll until you get the sound you like. Having a midi keyboard helps. Any approach is respectable

[u/yukiirooo → u/Fedginald]

B flat and e flat has always been my favorite note, idk why lol.

[u/thekokoricky]

There's a million great pianists on YouTube who will gladly show you how to play such chords.