The 4 Essential 'Best Part' Guitar Chords: Master The Daniel Caesar & H.E.R. R&B Groove In Under 10 Minutes

The song "Best Part" by Daniel Caesar and H.E.R. has become a modern R&B standard, cherished for its smooth, jazzy chord progression and intimate feel. Learning to play this track on the guitar is a rite of passage for any aspiring R&B or Neo-Soul musician, and the good news is that the entire song revolves around a simple, yet sophisticated, four-chord loop. This guide, updated for December 2025, will break down the exact chords, the signature fingerpicking pattern, and the advanced voicings used by Daniel Caesar himself, ensuring your rendition is as authentic and soulful as the original. This tutorial is structured for guitarists of all levels, offering both the simplified beginner chords and the complex major seventh voicings that give the song its signature sound. Mastering this progression will not only allow you to play "Best Part" but will also unlock a fundamental understanding of Neo-Soul and R&B chord theory.

The Artists Behind the Soul: Daniel Caesar & H.E.R. Profile

The magic of "Best Part" comes from the seamless collaboration between two of R&B's most compelling modern artists. Understanding their background offers context to the sophisticated musicality of the song.

Daniel Caesar (Ashton Dumar Norwill Simmonds)

• Born: April 5, 1995, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
• Genre: R&B, Soul, Gospel, Alternative.
• Career Snapshot: Daniel Caesar built his career independently before releasing his debut studio album, *Freudian*, in 2017, which earned him a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance for the single "Best Part." His music is known for its blend of spiritual themes and classic R&B influences.

H.E.R. (Gabriella Sarmiento Wilson)

• Born: June 27, 1997, in Vallejo, California, U.S.
• Genre: R&B, Soul, Pop.
• Career Snapshot: H.E.R. (an acronym for "Having Everything Revealed") is an acclaimed American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. A child prodigy, she began her career anonymously before gaining widespread recognition. She is celebrated for her powerful vocals and mastery of multiple instruments, including the guitar, which heavily influences her unique R&B sound.

The Core 'Best Part' Guitar Chords Progression

The entire song, from the verse to the chorus, uses a single, repeating four-chord progression in the key of D major. This progression is a classic example of smooth, jazzy R&B harmony.

The Authentic Jazz Voicings (Intermediate/Advanced)

For the most authentic sound, you must use the major seventh and dominant seventh voicings. This is the progression used in the official recording and most advanced tutorials.

The Main Progression: Dmaj7 – Am7 – Gmaj7 – Bbmaj7

• Dmaj7 (Imaj7): This is the tonic chord, establishing the key of D.
• Am7 (v7): This is the chord that gives the progression its unique, slightly melancholic feel. In the key of D, an Am7 is a minor chord built on the fifth degree, which is an unusual but effective choice.
• Gmaj7 (IVmaj7): The subdominant major seventh, a common and beautiful chord in this key.
• Bbmaj7 (♭VImaj7): This is the "money chord"—the chromatic movement from the Gmaj7 to the Bbmaj7 is what defines the R&B/Neo-Soul flavor of the song. It’s a borrowed chord that adds a beautiful, unexpected color.

The Easy 'Open Chord' Version (Beginner-Friendly)

If you are a beginner or want to avoid barre chords (which the Maj7 and m7 chords often require), you can simplify the progression significantly while still capturing the song's essence.

The Simplified Progression: D – Am – G – F

• D (D Major): Use the standard open D chord.
• Am (A Minor): Use the standard open A minor chord.
• G (G Major): Use the standard open G chord.
• F (F Major): Use the standard open F chord (or Fmaj7 for a slightly smoother sound).

Pro Tip: The key to making the simplified version sound good is to use a light touch and focus on the rhythm, which mimics the original's gentle, laid-back feel.

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Mastering the R&B Groove: Strumming & Fingerpicking

The chords are only half the story; the true soul of "Best Part" lies in its rhythmic delivery. The song is not meant to be heavily strummed. It requires a gentle, laid-back R&B/jazzy feel.

The Signature Fingerpicking Pattern (The Riff)

The original recording features a distinct, simple fingerpicking pattern—often referred to as an R&B riff—that plays throughout. This is the best way to capture the song's intimacy.

The pattern is a variation of a simple arpeggio, where you pick the notes of the chord individually, focusing on the bass and a few higher notes to create movement.

Basic Fingerpicking Suggestion:

For each chord (Dmaj7, Am7, Gmaj7, Bbmaj7):

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1. Pick the Bass Note (Root) with your thumb (P).
2. Pick the G, B, and High E strings quickly in succession with your index (I), middle (M), and ring (A) fingers.
3. Repeat the Bass Note.
4. Repeat the higher string pattern.

This creates a simple 'Bass-High-Bass-High' pattern, giving the song a constant, mellow pulse. Many tutorials offer a detailed TAB for this, which is highly recommended for accuracy.

Strumming Pattern (Alternative)

If fingerpicking feels too complex, a light strumming pattern can work, but it must be subtle and groovy.

Suggested Strumming Pattern: D DU *UDU (Down, Down-Up, Muted-Up-Down-Up)

• Use a very soft downstroke on the first beat (D).
• Follow with a light Down-Up (DU).
• The crucial element is the muted strum (*) on beat 3, which adds a percussive, funky element common in R&B.
• Finish the measure with a gentle Up-Down-Up (UDU).

Advanced Topical Authority: Chord Voicings and Theory

To truly master the song and understand the genius behind the composition, it’s worth diving into the chord theory and exploring alternative voicings. This is where you elevate your playing from a simple cover to a deep interpretation.

The Roman Numeral Analysis

Music theory experts analyze the "Best Part" progression as a non-diatonic loop, which is why it sounds so unique and jazzy.

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Imaj7 – v7 – IVmaj7 – ♭VImaj7

The use of the minor five chord (v7, Am7) and the borrowed flat-six major chord (♭VImaj7, Bbmaj7) creates a smooth, descending bass line and a sophisticated harmonic tension that resolves beautifully back to the Imaj7 (Dmaj7).

Exploring Alternative Chord Shapes (Voicings)

Daniel Caesar often uses higher, cleaner voicings on the guitar neck to avoid a muddy sound and to leave room for the bass. Experiment with these common alternative shapes for a professional tone:

• Dmaj7 Voicing: Try playing the Dmaj7 on the 5th fret (x57675), which is a classic R&B shape.
• Am7 Voicing: Instead of an open Am7, try the 5th fret barre chord (575555) or a higher voicing like (x05555).
• Gmaj7 Voicing: A high, clean Gmaj7 at the 10th fret (x10-12-11-12-10) adds sparkle.
• Bbmaj7 Voicing: The Bbmaj7 can be played at the 6th fret (x13231) or as a higher voicing (687666) to keep the sound bright and airy.

By integrating these complex voicings, you can achieve the rich, layered sound that defines the track. "Best Part" is more than just a song; it's a masterclass in modern R&B guitar harmony.