What Is Neo-Soul Guitar? (And How To Get The 'Wow' Chords You're Playing Is Missing)

Hey guys, Alec here! If you’ve ever sat down to play a “simple” R&B groove and ended up with your fingers twisted like a pretzel, congratulations—you’ve just met neo-soul guitar. It’s smooth, it’s buttery, it’s jazzy, and let’s be real—it’ll humble even the most seasoned player.

Neo-soul guitar is what happens when gospel, R&B, jazz, and hip-hop all meet at a coffee shop with dim lighting and a lo-fi playlist. It’s all about lush chords, subtle phrasing, and a groove so deep it makes people scrunch their faces like they just smelled some good food.

So, What Is Neo-Soul Guitar?

If gospel quartet guitar is about driving the bus, then neo-soul guitar is about floating over traffic in a Tesla with autopilot on. It’s smooth, fluid, and way more about feel than flash. The playing is minimal but intentional—every note has a purpose, every chord has extra flavor, and the pocket is deep.

The best way to understand neo-soul guitar is to listen. Players like Isaiah Sharkey, Mateus Asato, and Tom Misch have mastered the art of making simple progressions sound like magic. But if you really want to feel it, just play some D’Angelo, Jill Scott, or Erykah Badu and pay attention to what the guitarist is doing. Spoiler alert: they’re not just playing regular major and minor chords.

The Essential Ingredients of Neo-Soul Guitar

🎸 Chord Extensions Galore – If you’re still playing plain old major and minor chords, I’ve got bad news… you’re missing out. Neo-soul is all about 7ths, 9ths, 11ths, and those buttery diminished chords that make everything sound expensive.

🎸 Thumb Chords & Hybrid Picking – If you ain’t using your thumb to grab bass notes, are you really playing neo-soul? Players like Jimi Hendrix and John Mayer popularized it, but in neo-soul, it’s a necessity. And don’t forget hybrid picking—using your fingers to pluck strings instead of just strumming. If your fingers don’t hurt yet, you’re not doing it right.

🎸 Melodic Riffs & Chord Flicks – In neo-soul, you’re not just holding chords—you’re playing them. Flicking the top notes, sliding into shapes, and adding those tasty little melodic licks in between. The key is to sound effortless… even though your brain is working overtime.

🎸 The Pocket Is KING – Neo-soul isn’t about shredding. It’s about groove. If you’re not locking in with the drummer, just put the guitar down and go clap on two and four until you feel the beat in your soul.

Why Neo-Soul Guitar Is the Coolest Style You’ll Ever Play

Neo-soul guitar doesn’t just sound good—it feels good. It’s smooth but complex, subtle but deep. It makes people tilt their heads and say, “Ooooh, play that again!” And honestly, isn’t that the best compliment a guitarist can get?

Plus, it forces you to grow. You start caring more about tone, touch, and taste, instead of just playing fast. You start using more of the neck, experimenting with phrasing, and actually listening to the other instruments. And before you know it, you’re that guitarist who makes everything sound way more expensive than it actually is.

Final Word

If you want to play neo-soul guitar, remember: less is more, groove is everything, and the fancier the chord name, the better.

Now go learn some major 7th chords, use your thumb, and for the love of all things smooth—don’t rush the pocket.

Happy playing!

Alec, Founder of Soulful Guitar Lessons

To Learn More about Neo Soul Guitar, Check Out This Video By Grammy-Nominated Guitarist Alec Lehrman 

Click Here For The Video: 

Neo Soul Guitar Tutorial