R&B Piano 101: Chords, Groove & Timing with Eric Wortham

When you think of R&B piano, you think of lush, colorful chords, smooth grooves, and soulful emotion. But how do you actually play like that? In this lesson, renowned pianist Eric Wortham (who has performed with artists like Adele, Jill Scott, and Seal) breaks down the essentials of R&B piano so you can start sounding smooth, rich, and expressive.

Let’s dive in.

The Beauty of R&B Piano: Rich Harmonies & Colorful Extensions

One of the reasons R&B piano sounds so lush is because of the harmonic possibilities available on the piano. While guitars, basses, and strings are beautiful, the piano allows you to layer rich chord extensions and create complex voicings.

At the heart of R&B harmony are:

• Major 7th chords
• Dominant 7th chords
• Chord extensions: 9ths, 11ths, and 13ths

These extensions add beautiful color and allow you to express a full range of emotion while still supporting the melody.

For example, try taking a simple major 7th chord and layering on a 9th or 13th. Suddenly, your chords start to sound full, sophisticated, and unmistakably R&B.

If you’re brand new to extended chords, check out our beginner’s guide to piano chords to get started.

Essential R&B Chord Progressions

Many R&B songs are built on common progressions. Eric demonstrates one of his favorites: the 4-3-2-1 walkdown.

For example, in the key of C major:

• Fmaj7 (IV)
• Em7 (iii)
• Dm7 (ii)
• Cmaj7 (I)

You can play these as simple major 7ths or experiment with voicings that add 9ths and other extensions for extra flavor.

Another cornerstone progression is the famous 2-5-1 progression (ii-V-I):

• Dm7 (ii)
• G7 (V)
• Cmaj7 (I)

Eric demonstrates different ways to voice these chords, including adding flat 9s, augmented 5ths, or altered tones on the dominant chord to create tension and resolution. This is where R&B harmony truly shines.

Want to master 2-5-1 progressions? Check out our 2-5-1 chord progression tutorial.

Playing In The Pocket: Timing & Groove

In R&B, how you play the chords is just as important as what you play.

Eric demonstrates three key approaches to groove:

1. On The Beat — playing precisely in time.
2. Behind The Beat — playing slightly late, giving a laid-back, “lazy” feel.
3. Ahead Of The Beat — playing slightly early, adding urgency and drive.

Mastering this subtle timing control is one of the secrets to sounding authentic in R&B. Eric encourages practicing these variations to build control and feel. Start simple, focus on your sense of time, and gradually add complexity as you get comfortable.

Practice Tips From Eric Wortham

• Experiment with voicings: Don’t be afraid to try different extensions and inversions.
• Focus on feel: R&B is all about groove and emotion.
• Practice timing: Use a metronome or backing track to explore playing ahead, on, and behind the beat.
• Listen to the greats: Study classic R&B recordings to internalize the sound.

As Eric says: “This musical language is very personal to us all. Take what I give you and keep seeking out other professionals and resources to develop your own voice.”

Take Your R&B Playing Further

If you want to dive even deeper into R&B piano, check out Eric Wortham’s full R&B Essentials course inside Pianote.

In the course, Eric breaks down:

• Essential R&B chords and scales
• Chord extensions and voicings
• Signature 2-5-1 progressions
• Playing “in the pocket”
• How to create your own rich, soulful sound

Whether you’re a complete beginner or an aspiring producer, this course will give you the tools to finally sound like the R&B pianists you admire.

Start your 7-day free trial and explore Eric Wortham’s full R&B Essentials course inside Pianote.

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