Make R&B music
R&B is smooth, soulful, vocal-led music with lush harmony, laid-back grooves and warm, intimate production, usually written around 125 to 145 BPM and often felt in half-time. Emotion and feel come first.
Tempo: 125–145 BPM · Soulful, rich 7th and 9th chords
What defines R&B?
R&B is smooth, soulful, and built around the voice. The harmony is lush, full of extended chords, the groove sits back and relaxed (often felt in half-time), and the production stays warm and intimate. Everything leaves room for a vocal to breathe and emote.
It’s a feel-first genre. The chords and the pocket set a mood, and the best R&B uses space as much as sound, letting the emotion carry the song.
Signature elements of R&B
- ·Lush, soulful harmony with extended chords
- ·Laid-back, often half-time grooves
- ·Warm keys, pads and smooth bass
- ·Space built around the vocal
- ·An intimate, emotional mood
How Songen makes R&B
Songen generates an R&B loop with the lead, lush chords, smooth bass and drums as editable MIDI. Start there, then voice the chords, soften the groove, or open space for a vocal.
R&B FAQ
- What BPM is R&B?
- R&B is usually written around 125 to 145 BPM but often felt in half-time, which gives it that slow, smooth, laid-back groove.
- What makes a song R&B?
- Lush, soulful harmony, a laid-back groove and warm, intimate production built around the vocal. Feel and emotion lead the way.
- What key is R&B in?
- R&B leans on rich, extended chords, sevenths and ninths, in both major and minor, for its smooth, sophisticated harmony.