What chord progressions are best for lo-fi beats?

Lo-fi beats typically use jazzy progressions with 7th and 9th chords. Popular progressions include ii7-V7-Imaj7 (the jazz ii-V-I), i7-iv7-VII7-III7, and simple minor 7th vamps like Dm7-G7-Cmaj7-Fmaj7. The key is using extended chords that create a warm, mellow sound.

How do I make my chords sound lo-fi?

To achieve a lo-fi sound, use 7th chords (major 7, minor 7, dominant 7), add vinyl crackle and tape saturation, apply a low-pass filter to cut harsh highs, use Rhodes or Wurlitzer piano sounds, and slightly detune your instruments. Side-chaining to a slow kick also adds that signature lo-fi pump.

What key is best for lo-fi music?

Lo-fi music commonly uses minor keys like D minor, A minor, and E minor for their melancholic feel. Major keys like F major and C major work well for more uplifting, jazzy lo-fi. The most popular lo-fi key is arguably D minor due to its warm, contemplative character.

10 Lo-fi Chord Progressions for Chill Study Beats

Lo-fi hip hop has become the soundtrack of a generation, from late-night study sessions to coffee shop afternoons. What gives lo-fi its signature warm, nostalgic sound? It's the chords. Those jazzy, mellow progressions that feel like a warm blanket on a rainy day. In this guide, we'll break down the chord progressions that define lo-fi music and show you how to create them instantly with Chordoo's free MIDI generator.

What Makes Lo-fi Chords Sound Lo-fi?

Lo-fi chord progressions borrow heavily from jazz and neo-soul. The secret isn't just the progression itself, it's the chord voicings and extensions. Here's what separates lo-fi chords from basic pop chords:

7th chords everywhere: Major 7ths, minor 7ths, and dominant 7ths are the foundation
9th and 13th extensions: Adding these creates that sophisticated, jazzy color
Smooth voice leading: Notes move by small intervals, creating a flowing, relaxed feel
Minor keys dominate: Most lo-fi tracks use minor keys for that melancholic vibe
Slow harmonic rhythm: Chords change slowly, letting each one breathe

Don't worry if this sounds complex. With Chordoo, you can generate these jazzy progressions automatically and export them as MIDI for your DAW.

The 5 Essential Lo-fi Chord Progressions

These progressions are the backbone of countless lo-fi tracks. Master these, and you'll have the harmonic vocabulary for any chill beat:

1. The Classic ii-V-I (Jazz Foundation)

In C major: Dm7 – G7 – Cmaj7
This is the most important progression in jazz, and lo-fi inherited it directly. The ii-V-I creates satisfying resolution while keeping things sophisticated. Extend it to ii-V-I-IV (Dm7 – G7 – Cmaj7 – Fmaj7) for a longer loop.

Best for: Jazzy lo-fi, study beats, coffee shop vibes

2. The Melancholic Minor Loop: i7 – iv7 – VII7 – III7

In A minor: Am7 – Dm7 – G7 – Cmaj7
Starting on a minor 7th chord immediately sets a contemplative mood. This progression cycles through the relative major's ii-V-I while feeling rooted in minor. It's perfect for sad, introspective beats.

Best for: Sad lo-fi, late night beats, emotional instrumentals

3. The Neo-Soul Vamp: Imaj7 – ii7 – iii7 – ii7

In F major: Fmaj7 – Gm7 – Am7 – Gm7
This progression barely moves harmonically, creating a hypnotic, floating quality. The stepwise motion between chords is smooth and relaxing. It's heavily used in neo-soul and works beautifully for lo-fi.

Best for: Smooth lo-fi, neo-soul beats, chill hop

4. The Bittersweet IV – V – iii – vi

In C major: Fmaj7 – G7 – Em7 – Am7
This progression creates a sense of longing. Starting on IV gives it an unresolved, floating quality, while the move to vi at the end keeps it melancholic. Add 9ths to make it even more lush.

Best for: Nostalgic lo-fi, sunset beats, anime lo-fi

5. The Simple Minor Groove: i7 – VII – VI – VII

In D minor: Dm7 – C – Bb – C
Sometimes simplicity is best. This progression uses fewer extensions but delivers a solid, grooving foundation. The back-and-forth between VI and VII creates subtle tension that keeps the loop interesting.

Best for: Boom bap lo-fi, sample-style beats, minimal chill

Quick Tip

Lo-fi beats typically sit in the 70-90 BPM range. Slower tempos give your chords room to breathe and create that relaxed, laid-back feeling. Use Chordoo's generator to find progressions in Lo-fi or Jazz mode, then slow down your DAW tempo.

Chord Voicings That Define Lo-fi

The same chord can sound completely different depending on how you voice it. Here are the voicing techniques that give lo-fi its character:

Rootless Voicings

Jazz pianists often drop the root note, letting the bass handle it. Instead of playing all notes of Dm7 (D-F-A-C), play just F-A-C in your right hand. This creates space and sophistication.

Close Voicings

Keep chord tones close together (within an octave) for that intimate, warm sound. Wide voicings sound more orchestral; close voicings sound like someone playing piano in a small room.

Add9 Chords

Adding the 9th to any chord instantly makes it more colorful. Cmaj7 becomes Cmaj9, Am7 becomes Am9. This is one of the easiest ways to make basic progressions sound more sophisticated.

Chord Inversions

Using inversions (playing a different note as the lowest tone) creates smoother bass lines. Instead of jumping from Dm7 to G7 with roots, use Dm7/F to G7/B for a walking bass effect.

How to Use Chordoo for Lo-fi Production

Ready to create your own lo-fi chord progressions? Here's how to use Chordoo's free MIDI generator:

Select Lo-fi or Jazz: Choose one of these genres from the dropdown for jazzy, 7th-chord-rich suggestions.
Generate progressions: Hit the spacebar to cycle through different progressions until you find one that feels right.
Lock chords you like: Found a Dm7 you love? Lock it and regenerate the rest to build around it.
Export MIDI: Download your progression and import it into FL Studio, Ableton, or any DAW.
Add lo-fi processing: Apply vinyl crackle, tape saturation, and low-pass filtering to your piano or Rhodes sound.

Sound Design Tips for Lo-fi Chords

Getting the right progression is just the start. Here's how to make your chords sound authentically lo-fi:

Use Rhodes or Wurlitzer: Electric piano is the quintessential lo-fi sound. Keyscape, Lounge Lizard, or free alternatives work great.
Add vinyl crackle: Subtle noise adds warmth and nostalgia. Don't overdo it.
Apply tape saturation: Plugins like RC-20 Retro Color or free alternatives add that warm, slightly distorted character.
Low-pass filter: Cut frequencies above 8-10kHz to remove harshness and create intimacy.
Sidechain to kick: Gentle sidechaining makes chords pump subtly with the drums.
Slight detuning: Detune your piano by a few cents for that wobbly, old tape feel.

Pro Tip

Layer your chords with a subtle pad playing the same progression an octave higher. This fills out the high-mids without adding harshness. Use a warm, filtered pad sound and keep it quiet in the mix.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Too many chord changes: Lo-fi thrives on repetition. Two to four chords looping is often enough.
Overprocessing: Don't drown your chords in effects. Subtlety is key to the lo-fi aesthetic.
Wrong tempo: Lo-fi typically lives between 70-90 BPM. Faster tempos lose the relaxed feel.
Harsh high frequencies: Always filter or EQ out harsh highs. Lo-fi should feel warm, not bright.
Ignoring the bass: Your bass should complement the chord roots. Keep the low end clean and simple.

Start Creating Lo-fi Chords Now

The chord progressions in this guide are the foundation of the lo-fi sound. Whether you're making study beats, chill hop, or nostalgic instrumentals, these jazzy progressions will give your tracks that warm, mellow character that defines the genre.

Ready to create your own? Visit Chordoo's chord progression generator, select Lo-fi or Jazz mode, and start generating mellow progressions in seconds. Export as MIDI, add your favorite lo-fi processing, and make your next chill beat.

Looking for more inspiration? Read how I composed a complete song using Chordoo, or learn how to write better songs with random chord progressions. For more tips, check out our blog.