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Ezine
I touched on primary chords and chord substitutions in this post last week, but
today, I want to take it a step further.
(I recommend you go check out that post on primary chords as a primer to this le
sson.)
In short, every key has primary chords built off the 1st, 4th, and 5th tones of
the scale.
In C major:
C is 1
D is 2
E is 3
F is 4
G is 5
A is 6
B is 7
The primary chords are built off C, F, and G.
The 2nd, 3rd, 6th, and 7th tones create what we call secondary chords.
But dont let the secondary fool ya because they are very important when it comes to
chord substitutions.
Recall in that past post how we paired certain primary chords with brother-sister
secondary chords.
C major (primary) pairs up with A minor7 (secondary)
F major (primary) pairs up with D minor7 (secondary)
G major (primary) pairs up with E minor7 ( secondary)
And even D minor (secondary) pairs up with B half-diminished7 (secondary).
Quick Primary/Secondary Chord Substitutions
Because C major (C+E+G) and A minor7 (A+C+E+G) share most of the same notes (inc
luding the highest note/melody), this makes the A minor a perfect replacement when
it comes to chord substitutions.
For example, if you had a progression that went from C major to F major to G maj
or (aka 1-4-5, one of the most popular chord progressions ever), you could actuall
y swap out the C major for A minor 7.
Granted, you usually like to lay down the original progression by playing it the
natural way first. But when it repeats, youll find it also sounds good (or even
better) when you go to A minor (A+C+E+G) instead of C major (C+E+G).
But whats really going on here?
If you look closely at the chord, were still playing a C major weve just put A on the
bottom as the bass or root note. And when you do that, it changes the whole cho
rd to A minor 7, even though 75% of the notes belong to C major.
(Thats why C major and A minor7 have a really close relationship. In fact, they a
re relatives but thats another lesson).
So the progression could go something like this:
C major
F major
G major
(repeat with chord substitution)
A minor7
F major
G major
A minor7
D minor7
G major
(This is another lesson but the G major can easily be extended to a G dominant 7
for even more flavor).
Even More Chord Substitutions
What about the G major / E minor7 pair? Can we throw that in?
Some chord substitutions will work brilliantly well, others you can pass on. But
its all up to you.
Its very important when playing by ear that you understand your options. As I alw
ays say, playing by ear is all about having options. You dont have sheet music in
front of you. You dont have to copy someone elses homework. You know countless wa
ys to play the same thing and this kinda stuff is where it starts.
How many places do you play 1, 4, and 5 chords that you can substitute in their
relative minor partners (6, 2, and 3)? Thats your homework.
Well, thats all I have for you on chord substitutions see you next time.
Related posts:Heres a method thats helping musicians swap out dull chords for exci
ting ones!
Can tritone substitutions really revolutionize your playing?
How to add flavor and spice with the power of chord substitutions
Heres a method thats helping beginners play in minor keys overnight
How to take advantage of the power and versatility of primary chords
Heres a method thatll make your chords more powerful
Who else wants to know the secret behind primary and secondary chords?
Tagged as:
chord substitutions,
chord substutiton,
substituting chords,
swapping chords
1
Richard
This can be applied to all Chords? The 6th tone of any particular major chord, i
s the Minor Substitue for the Major Chord? Just take time to experment. Dick B
Reply
2
Jermaine Griggs
Yes Richard, that is correct. Whatever is the 6th tone of that major chords scale
can simply be played in the left hand bass without even changing the chord on r
ight hand Thus creating the minor7 chord of whatever the 6th tone is. Bb major ca
n be turned into Gmin7 by simply playing Bb major on right and G on left. Becaus
e melody and 75% of chord doesnt change, it is perfect candidate for substitution
and variety.
Reply
3
val
This is amazing and very helpful at the same time. Thank you and God bless you.
sincerely Val
Reply
4
graham
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