Lo-Fi Chord Progressions From Nujabes, J Dilla & More
The chord progressions behind Nujabes, J Dilla and Joji: jazzy 7th and 9th chords in short, loopable patterns. Switch to any key, hear each loop in your browser and download it as a free MIDI file to flip into your own beat.
ii7 – V7 – Imaj7 – VI7
WHY IT WORKS + WRITING TIP
A jazz ii–V–I, then a VI7 (the V of ii) that leads straight back to the start. Every chord points to the next, so the four bars loop seamlessly.
Tip: Chop the loop from a Rhodes or piano recording and let it play under a dusty, swung drum beat.
ii9 – V13
WHY IT WORKS + WRITING TIP
Only the ii and the V, but as a 9th and a 13th chord. The extensions share notes, so the change is subtle and smooth, and the vamp never feels the need to resolve.
Tip: Two chords leave plenty of room: let a sax, flute or vocal sample carry the melody.
i – VII – VI
WHY IT WORKS + WRITING TIP
Three chords walking down the natural minor scale. The descending bass gives a melancholy, nostalgic pull that suits a slow, head-nodding beat.
Tip: Add the 7th to each chord (i7 – VII7 – VImaj7) for a jazzier version, or let a sample supply the colour.
vi7 – ii – I
WHY IT WORKS + WRITING TIP
Starting on the minor vi7 and moving through the ii to the I gives a gentle, settling feel, like a sigh at the end of each bar.
Tip: Nudge the chords slightly off the grid. The loose, "drunk" timing is a J Dilla trademark.
ii – iii
WHY IT WORKS + WRITING TIP
Two minor chords one step apart create a hypnotic back-and-forth with no tonic in sight, perfect for a beat that loops for minutes.
Tip: Add the 7th to both chords for the classic lo-fi colour.
Imaj7 – IVmaj7
WHY IT WORKS + WRITING TIP
Two major 7th chords a fourth apart. Both are stable and soft, so the vamp floats instead of pushing forward.
Tip: Detune or warble the chord sound slightly (tape or chorus effect) for the lo-fi texture.
vi – ii7 – V7 – I
WHY IT WORKS + WRITING TIP
The vi sets a sad tone, then a ii7–V7–I resolves it the jazz way. It is the same circle-of-fifths motion that runs through jazz standards.
Tip: Play it on a felt or upright piano with soft dynamics.
vi – IV – I – V
WHY IT WORKS + WRITING TIP
The four most common pop chords, starting on the vi. Played slowly with soft sounds, the familiar loop turns intimate and wistful.
Tip: Add the 7th to the vi and the IV (vi7, IVmaj7) to make it sound more lo-fi and less pop.
Progressions with a lower-case i are shown in a minor key, the rest in major. Songs often use different chords in different sections; the section is listed for each example. "Song key" is the key of the recording as given in the published transcription.
All 8 Lo-Fi progressions as MIDI, in every key
Every progression on this page in all 12 keys (96 MIDI files, chords and bass on separate tracks, at 80 BPM). You also get our full Chord Progression MIDI Pack (864 files) and The Songwriter's Cheat Sheet (PDF).
Your downloads are ready. Links to the full MIDI pack and the cheat sheet are on their way to your inbox too.
DOWNLOAD LO-FI MIDI → FULL MIDI PACK CHEAT SHEET PDFGot the chords? SongwriterMap walks you through writing the melody, hook and lyric on top. Try the free demo.
How lo-fi progressions work
Lo-fi hip hop borrows its harmony from jazz and soul. Producers like Nujabes and J Dilla built beats from short loops of 7th and 9th chords, often only two or four bars long, sampled from jazz and soul records. The chords rarely resolve strongly; they just keep cycling.
The sound comes as much from the production as from the notes: soft piano or Rhodes, tape saturation, slightly detuned chords and swung, loose drums.
3 ways to use them in your own beats
- Loop two or four bars. Download a progression as MIDI, put a warm keys sound on it and loop it for the whole beat.
- Add swing and dust. Pair the loop with our free lo-fi drum pattern, then add vinyl noise and a low-pass filter.
- Extend the chords. Turn triads into 7ths and 9ths. Our free piano chord chart shows the notes for every chord type.
Turn the progression into a song
SongwriterMap covers what goes on top of the chords: song structure, hook writing, melody shapes, lyric devices and a 7-point melody check, with an exercise for every item. Try the free demo in your browser.
Quick answers
What chord progressions are used in lo-fi?
Common lo-fi progressions include ii7 – V7 – Imaj7 – VI7 (After Hanabi); ii9 – V13 (Aruarian Dance); i – VII – VI (Lady Brown); vi7 – ii – I (So Far to Go); ii – iii (Don't Cry). Every progression on this page has playback in any key and a free MIDI download.
What chord progression does After Hanabi by Nujabes use?
After Hanabi uses ii7 – V7 – Imaj7 – VI7 in the verse: Fm7 – B♭7 – E♭maj7 – C7 in E♭ major, according to the published transcription (see sources below).
What chord progression does Aruarian Dance by Nujabes use?
Aruarian Dance uses ii9 – V13 in the verse: G♯m9 – C♯13 in F♯ major, according to the published transcription (see sources below).
What chord progression does Lady Brown by Nujabes use?
Lady Brown uses i – VII – VI in the intro and verse: Em – D – C in E minor, according to the published transcription (see sources below).
What chord progression does So Far to Go by J Dilla use?
So Far to Go uses vi7 – ii – I in the instrumental (I in first inversion): Gm7 – Cm – B♭ in B♭ major, according to the published transcription (see sources below).
What chord progression does Don't Cry by J Dilla use?
Don't Cry uses ii – iii in the chorus (ii with an added 11th): E♭m – Fm in D♭ major, according to the published transcription (see sources below).
What chord progression does Slow Dancing in the Dark by Joji use?
Slow Dancing in the Dark uses Imaj7 – IVmaj7 in the chorus: E♭maj7 – A♭maj7 in E♭ major, according to the published transcription (see sources below).
What chord progression does Glimpse of Us by Joji use?
Glimpse of Us uses vi – ii7 – V7 – I in the verse and pre-chorus: Fm – B♭m7 – E♭7 – A♭ in A♭ major, according to the published transcription (see sources below).
What chord progression does Can We Kiss Forever by Kina use?
Can We Kiss Forever uses vi – IV – I – V in the verse: C♯m – A – E – B in E major, according to the published transcription (see sources below).
Can I use the same chord progression as a hit song?
Yes. Chord progressions are shared building blocks of music, and the loops on this page are used in hundreds of songs. What makes a song yours is the melody, the lyric and the production. (General information, not legal advice.)
Can I download these chord progressions as MIDI?
Yes. Every progression has a free MIDI download in the key and tempo you choose, with the chords and the bass on separate tracks, ready to drag into any DAW.
Sources: After Hanabi, Aruarian Dance, Lady Brown, So Far to Go, Don't Cry, Slow Dancing in the Dark, Glimpse of Us, Can We Kiss Forever. Song titles are given for reference only. No lyrics, recordings or sheet music are reproduced, and The Sonic Secrets is not affiliated with any artist or label.