Let’s get one thing straight:
Soul guitar isn’t just about the notes. It’s about feel. It’s the sound of a Sunday morning, a city block, a love story, a heartbreak. The right chord, played with the right tone, can melt hearts and move feet.
So how do you play soul guitar chords that actually sound like soul?
Not stiff. Not robotic. But smooth, expressive, and full of flavor.
You start with the right voicings.
In this post, I’ll show you:
- 8 soul guitar chords every player needs
- How to build rich-sounding progressions
- How to play these chords with soul (feel, groove, and touch)
And then I’ll show you how to connect these chords with FretDeck — a visual tool inspired by legends who played with heart over heat.
Let’s go.
What Makes a Guitar Chord Sound Like Soul?
- Extended chords (maj7, 9, 13)
- Smooth voice leading
- Muted strums and ghost notes
- Real human feel — not mechanical rhythm
And it all starts with the chord shapes.
Here are 8 must-know soul guitar chords to start playing with flavor:
❌ Stop Guessing. Start Shredding.
If you’re still fumbling through scale patterns and box shapes… it’s costing you progress.
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1. Amaj7
A classic soulful major 7 chord. Smooth as silk.
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B|---2---
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D|---2---
A|---0---
E|-------2. Bm7
Essential for minor-based grooves. Think Donny Hathaway.
e|---2---
B|---0---
G|---2---
D|---0---
A|---2---
E|-------3. C#m7
This chord gives you instant Neo-Soul flavor.
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B|---0---
G|---1---
D|---1---
A|---4---
E|-------4. E9
Great for funk, R&B, and soul rhythm guitar.
e|---0---
B|---0---
G|---1---
D|---0---
A|---2---
E|---0---5. F#7
This dominant chord gives you grit and swagger.
e|---2---
B|---2---
G|---3---
D|---2---
A|---4---
E|---2---6. G13
Tight. Funky. Perfect for Curtis Mayfield style grooves.
e|---1---
B|---0---
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D|---0---
A|---2---
E|---3---7. Dmaj7
A staple in soul ballads and modern soul jams.
e|---2---
B|---2---
G|---2---
D|---0---
A|-------
E|-------8. Emaj9
Warm. Jazzy. Smooth. Use it to end progressions with class.
e|---2---
B|---0---
G|---1---
D|---1---
A|---2---
E|---0---How to Practice These Soul Guitar Chords with Groove
“It ain’t what you play, it’s how you play it.”
Here’s how to develop feel with these chords:
- Play slowly with a metronome
- Use muted strums between chord changes
- Record yourself and listen for groove
- Try with lo-fi or soul jam tracks (YouTube has tons)
Example Progression (Amaj7 – C#m7 – Bm7 – E9)
This is a soul loop you can use to practice phrasing and feel:
| Amaj7 | C#m7 | Bm7 | E9 |Loop it. Add little hammer-ons. Palm mute. Slide into the chords.
Every round, try something new. Soul music is born in variation.
Want to Solo Over These Chords? Learn Soul Phrasing with FretDeck
Here’s the truth: every chord you just played can be paired with pentatonic phrasing.
- Amaj7 → A major pentatonic
- Bm7 → B minor pentatonic
- E9 → E minor or E major pentatonic
But here’s the problem:
Most players don’t know how to find those shapes across the neck.
That’s where FretDeck comes in.
FretDeck: Pentatonic Mastery Inspired by Soul
- 60 pentatonic shapes across all keys
- See 1–b3–4 and 1–2–3 phrases clearly
- Visualize phrasing from any chord shape
- Play across the neck like a pro
🎸 Want to sound like Prince, Leon Bridges, or H.E.R.?
FretDeck helps you feel the notes — not just memorize them.
👉 Grab your copy at guitarfreaksblog.com
Download The FretDeck & Pentatonic Secrets Course!
Download Our Course
Join the Soul Guitar Community: Guitar Freaks Hangout
Learning soul guitar isn’t a solo mission.
That’s why we built Guitar Freaks Hangout — a free Discord for players who love groove, feel, and tone.
Inside:
- Soul Jam Sessions
- Pentatonic Challenges
- Live Feedback Rounds
- Gear + Tone Talks
🎯 Join the Hangout and vibe with players who get it. 👉 Join us here
Join Guitar Freaks Hangout on Discord! 🎸
Get Fret Logic FREE!
Join the Guitar Freaks Hangout Discord and get exclusive access to my entire e-book, Fret Logic! Master the fretboard and elevate your solos with this comprehensive guide.
👉 Don’t miss out—join now and download your free copy!
Final Thoughts: Soul Guitar Chords Are Simpler Than You Think
If you’ve ever said:
- “I don’t know how to make my chords sound smooth.”
- “I want to play with feel, not just technique.”
- “How do I connect chords and scales like the pros?”
Start here.
These 8 soul guitar chords will carry you through countless progressions, songs, and sessions.
Then, take it further with:
✅ FretDeck – see the fretboard like a soul legend
✅ Discord – connect with players who speak your language
🎸 Sound like a musician. Not a machine.
