Circle of fifths and their relative minor family of chords.

By
Vince Lauria
on March 12, 2010 10:56 PM | | Comments (0)

Many songs use the relative minor for the chorus or bridge sections:

i.e. verse C //// F //// G //// chorus  Am //// G //// F ////

So it is important to memorize the relative minor family of chords.

Remember these are also called the natural minor or aeolian minor.

 

 

C major C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C

A natural minor  A, B, C, D, E, F, G, A

same notes as C major except A is the root or key note.

 

A Natural Minor scale = A, B, C, D, E, F, G, A

A Natural Minor (3 note) family of chords:

A minor,  B diminished,  C major,  D minor, E minor, F major, G major

i                  iio                     III              iv              v             VI           VII

 

A Natural Minor (4 note) family of chords:

Am7,         Bm7b5,       Cmaj7,           Dm7,     Em7,       F maj7,      G dominant 7

im7            iiØ7              IIImaj7          iv7          v7           VImaj7       VII7


_____________________________________ 

 

G major G, A, B, C, D, E, F#, G

E natural minor  E, F#, G, A, B, C, D, E

same notes as G major except E is the root or key note.

 

E Natural Minor scale = E, F#, G, A, B, C, D, E

E Natural Minor (3 note) family of chords:

E minor,  F# diminished,  G major,  A minor, B minor, C major,  D major

i                  iio                       III              iv              v                VI             VII

 

E Natural Minor (4 note) family of chords:

Em7,         F#m7b5,       Gmaj7,         Am7,      Bm7,      C maj7,         D dominant 7

i                  iiØ7             IIImaj7         iv7          v7           VImaj7         VII7

 

_____________________________________ 


D major D, E, F#, G, A, B, C#, D

B natural minor  B, C#, D, E, F#, G, A, B

same notes as D major except B is the root or key note.

 

B Natural Minor scale = B, C#, D, E, F#, G, A, B

B Natural Minor (3 note) family of chords:

B minor,  C# diminished,  D major,  E minor, F# minor,  G major,   A major

i                iio                        III             iv              v                VI              VII

 

B Natural Minor (4 note) family of chords:

Bm7,         C#m7b5,       Dmaj7,        Em7,        F#m7,      G maj7,         A dominant 7

Im7            iiØ7              IIImaj7        iv7            v7           VImaj7          VII7



 ____________________________________


A major A, B, C#, D, E, F#, G#, A

F# natural minor  F#, G#, A, B, C#, D, E, F#

same notes as A major except F# is the root or key note.

 

F# Natural Minor scale = F#, G#, A, B, C#, D, E, F#

F# Natural Minor (3 note) family of chords:

F# minor,  G# diminished,  A major,  B minor, C# minor, D major,  E major

i                  iio                        III             iv              v               VI              VII

 

 

F# Natural Minor (4 note) family of chords:

F#m7,         G#m7b5,        Amaj7,       Bm7,       C#m7,     D maj7,        E dominant 7

Im7              iiØ7                IIImaj7       iv7           v7           VImaj7         VII7

 

 ____________________________________


E major E, F#, G#, A, B, C#, D#, E

C# natural minor  C#, D#, E, F#, G#, A, B, C#

same notes as E major except C# is the root or key note.

 

C# Natural Minor scale = C#, D#, E, F#, G#, A, B, C#

C# Natural Minor (3 note) family of chords:

C# minor,  D# diminished,  E major,  F# minor, G# minor,  A major,  B major

i                   iio                        III             iv               v                VI              VII

 


C# Natural Minor (4 note) family of chords:

C#m7,          D#m7b5,         Emaj7,        F#m7,     G#m7,        A maj7,         B dominant 7

im7               iiØ7                 IIImaj7        iv7         Vmaj7        VImaj7          VII7

 

_____________________________________


B major B, C#, D#, E, F#, G#, A#, B

G# natural minor  G#, A#, B, C#, D#, E, F#, G#

same notes as B major except G# is the root or key note.

 

G# Natural Minor scale = G#, A#, B, C#, D#, E, F#, G#

G# Natural Minor (3 note) family of chords:

G# minor,  A# diminished,   B major,  C# minor, D# minor, E major,  F# major

i                   iio                         III             iv               v                 VI              VII

 

G# Natural Minor (4 note) family of chords:

G#m7,          A#m7b5,        Bmaj7,        C#m7,     D#m7,        E maj7,        F# dominant 7

im7               iiØ7                 IIImaj7       iv7         Vmaj7         VImaj7         VII7

 

__________________________________

 

F# major F#, G#, A#, B, C#, D#, E#, F#

D# natural minor D#, E#, F#, G#, A#, B, C#, D#

same notes as F# major except D# is the root or key note.

 

D# Natural Minor scale = D#, E#, F#, G#, A#, B, C#, D#

D# Natural Minor (3 note) family of chords:

D# minor,  E# diminished,  F# major, G# minor, A# minor, B major,  C# major

i                   iio                        III               iv                v              VI              VII

 

D# Natural Minor (4 note) family of chords:

D#m7,          E#m7b5,       F#maj7,       G#m7,      A#m7,        B maj7,         C# dominant 7

im7                iiØ7              IIImaj7          iv7         Vmaj7         VImaj7         VII7

 

_____________________________________


C# major C#, D#, E#, F#, G#, A#, B#, C#

A# natural minor  A#, B#, C#, D#, E#, F#, G#, A#

same notes as C# major except A# is the root or key note.

 

A# Natural Minor scale = A#, B#, C#, D#, E#, F#, G#, A#

A# Natural Minor (3 note) family of chords:

A# minor,  B# diminished,  C# major,  D# minor, E# minor, F# major,  G# major

i                   iio                        III                iv               v               VI                 VII

 

 

A# Natural Minor (4 note) family of chords:

A#m7,         B#m7b5,       C#maj7,         D#m7,       E#m7,       F#maj7,       G# dominant 7

im7               iiØ7               IIImaj7           iv7            v7             VImaj7         VII7

 

Assignment memorize all the family of chords for each of the circle of fifths.

 

Now record (or have a friend play) these common relative minor chord progressions 5 to 10 minutes for each key. Then live (or on another track) play the minor scale for each key. Do this for all of the seven keys. Play the minor scales first using quarter then eighth notes.

Start about 100 BPM.

 

1. i //// iv //// v ////  iv ////

 

2. iio //// v //// i ////

 

3. i //// iv //// VII //// III //// VI //// iio //// v //// i ////

 

4. I //// V //// vi //// IV ////                                                           

(also experiment substituting the four note chords for the three note chords) 

Later create at least 4 to 6 of your own progressions for each major scale key.

 

 

All materials copy-write 2010. For personal use only.

Vince Lauria Sun and Earth Music.

Circle of fifths and their family of chords.

By
Vince Lauria
on March 12, 2010 11:13 AM | | Comments (0)

C major scale = C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C     (no sharps or flats)

 

C major (3 note) family of chords

C major, D minor, E minor, F major, G major,  A minor, B diminished,

I               ii            iii         IV             V           vi            viio

 

C major (4 note) family of chords

C maj7,   Dm7,      Em7,        Fmaj7,      G7,       Am7,     Bm7b5,

Imaj7      ii7           iii7          IV maj7      V7        vi7         viiØ7

 

(the dominant seventh chord (G7 in the key of C major) is the chord

that defines the key were in - more on this later.)

 

 

G major scale = G, A, B, C, D, E, F#, G   (one sharp F#)

G major (3 note) family of chords

G major, A minor, B minor, C major, D major, E minor, F# diminished,

I               ii         iii           IV           V            vi             viio

 

G major (4 note) family of chords

G maj7,   Am7,      Bm7,       Cmaj7,      D7,       Em7,    F#m7b5,

Imaj7       ii7          iii7         IV maj7     V7         vi7        viiØ7

 

 

D major scale = D, E, F#, G, A, B, C#, D    (two sharps F#, C#)

D major (3 note) family of chords

D major, E minor, F# minor, G major, A major, B minor,  C# diminished,

I             ii           iii           IV          V           vi             viio

 

 

D major (4 note) family of chords

D maj7,  Em7,     F#m7,     Gmaj7,      A7,        Bm7,    C#m7b5,

Imaj7      ii7        iii7         IV maj7      V7          vi7        viiØ7

 

 

 

A major scale = A, B, C#, D, E, F#, G#, A   (three sharps F#, C#, G#)

A major (3 note) family of chords

A major, B minor, C# minor, D major,  E major,  F# minor, G# diminished,

I            ii             iii          IV            V           vi               viio

 

A major (4 note) family of chords

A maj7,   Bm7,     C#m7,      Dmaj7,     E7,       F#m7,    G#m7b5,

Imaj7       ii7         iii7          IV maj7    V7         vi7          viiØ7

 

E major scale = E, F#, G#, A, B, C#, D#, E   ( four sharps F#, C#, G#, D#)

E major (3 note) family of chords

E major, F# minor, G# minor, A major, B major,  C# minor, D# diminished,

I            ii            iii            IV           V            vi              viio

 

E major (4 note) family of chords

E maj7,  F#m7,     G#m7,      Amaj7,      B7,       C#m7,    D#m7b5,

Imaj7      ii7          iii7         IV maj7      V7          vi7          viiØ7

 

 

B major scale = B, C#, D#, E, F#, G#, A#, B   (five sharps F#, C#, G#, D#, A#)

B major (3 note) family of chords

B major, C# minor, D# minor, E major, F# major, G# minor,  A# diminished,

I                ii           iii            IV           V              vi                viio

 

B major (4 note) family of chords

Bmaj7,  C#m7,     D#m7,      Emaj7,       F#7,        G#m7,         A#m7b5,

Imaj7     ii7          iii7          IV maj7       V7           vi7               viiØ7

 

 

F# major scale = F#, G#, A#, B, C#, D#, E#, F# (six sharps F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E#)

F# major (3 note) family of chords

F# major, G# minor, A# minor, B major, C# major, D# minor, E# diminished,

I              ii             iii            IV            V           vi            viio

 

F# major (4 note) family of chords

F# maj7,  G#m7,     A#m7,        Bmaj7,       C#7,       D#m7,    E#m7b5,

Imaj7         ii7          iii7           IV maj7       V7           vi7         viiØ7

 

 

 

 

C# major scale = C#, D#, E#, F#, G#, A#, B#, C#  (seven sharps F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E#, B#)

C# major (3 note) family of chords

C# major, D# minor, E# minor,  F# major, G# major,  A# minor, B# diminished,

I              ii              iii            IV           V              vi               viio

 

C# major (4 note) family of chords

C# maj7,  D#m7,     E#m7,      F#maj7,       G#7,         A#m7,     B#m7b5,

Imaj7        ii7         iii7           IV maj7         V7            vi7           viiØ7

 

 

 

Assignment memorize all the family of chords for each of the circle of fifths.

 

Then record (or have a friend play) these common major scale chord progressions 5 to 10 minutes for each key. Then live (or on another track) play the major scale for each key. Do this for all of the seven keys. Play the major scales first using quarter then eighth notes.

Start about 100 BPM.

 

1. I //// IV //// V ////  IV ////

 

2. ii //// V //// I ////

 

3. ii //// V //// I //// vi ////

 

4. I //// V //// vi //// IV ////                                                           

(also experiment substituting the four note chords for the three note chords) 

 Later create at least 4 to 6 of your own progressions for each major scale key.

 

 

All materials copy-write 2010. For personal use only.

Vince Lauria Sun and Earth Music.

Circle of Fourths

By
Vince Lauria
on March 11, 2010 10:44 AM | | Comments (0)

Since our western hemisphere music is based on the major scale it is essential to memorize the major scale for all fifteen written keys. To do this you must understand the interval construction of the major scale and then apply it to all keys (circle of fifths and fourths)


Lets review the interval construction of the major scale.
Example using the C major scale (this interval formula is the exact same for all keys):

C to D = whole step   (two frets distance or a major second interval)
D to E = whole step   (two frets distance or a major second interval)
E to F = half step      (one fret distance or a minor second interval)
F to G = whole step   (two frets distance or a major second interval)
G to A = whole step   (two frets distance or a major second interval)
A to B = whole step   (two frets distance or a major second interval)
B to C = half step      (one fret distance or a minor interval)

Memorize the major scale formula: WS,WS,HS - WS,WS,WS - HS 

By moving to the right four scale steps we produce the next key center or key signature. 
(the basis for the circle of fifths (and fourths) was first described and illustrated by Nikolai Diletskii in 1679)

C major = C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C

Count from C (1st scale degree) to the right - four scale degrees - and you get 

F (4th scale degree) the next closes key. Only one note difference Bb.

F major = F, G, A, Bb, C, D, E, F                      one flat Bb

Notice how the Bb is needed to maintain the same interval relationship of:
WS,WS,HS,WS,WS,WS,HS.

In other words F to G = WS, G to A = WS, A to Bb = HS, 
Bb to C = WS, C to D = WS, D to E = WS, E to F = HS.

Bb major = Bb, C, D, Eb, F, G, A, Bb                    two flats = Bb and Eb

Eb major = Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb, C, D, Eb                  three flats = Bb, Eb, Ab 
(notice how the old flats are carried into the new key and the newest 
flat added is the fourth scale degree)

Ab major = Ab, Bb, C, Db, Eb, F, G, Ab                four flats = Bb, Eb, Ab, Db

Db major = Db, Eb, F, Gb, Ab, Bb, C, Db              five flats = Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb

Gb major = Gb, Ab, Bb, Cb, Db, Eb, F, Gb             six flats = Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, E#

Cb major = Cb, Db, Eb, Fb, Gb, Ab, Bb, Cb        seven flats = Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, E#, B#


C major uses no sharps or flats.

F major uses one flat            Bb
Bb major uses two flats         Bb, Eb
Eb major uses three flats       Bb, Eb, Ab
Ab major uses four flats        Bb, Eb, Ab, Db
Db major uses five flat          Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb
Gb major uses six flats          Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Cb
Cb major uses seven flats      Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Cb, Fb 


Notice the stating note is the key or key center. So memorize the note names for each key and then later the major and natural minor family of chords for each key).

The circle of fourths covers seven of our keys - this combined with the circle of fifths creates fourteen keys, with the C major scale we now have our fifteen keys.






All materials copy-write 2010. For personal use only.
Vince Lauria Sun and Earth Music

Circle of Fifths

By
Vince Lauria
on March 9, 2010 9:59 PM | | Comments (0)
Since our western hemisphere music is based on the major scale it is essential to memorize the major scale for all fifteen written keys. To do this you must understand the interval construction of the major scale and then apply it to all keys (circle of fifths and fourths)

Lets review the interval construction of the major scale.
Example using the C major scale (this interval formula is the exact same for all keys):

C to D = whole step   (two frets distance or a major second interval)
D to E = whole step   (two frets distance or a major second interval)
E to F = half step      (one fret distance or a minor second interval)
F to G = whole step   (two frets distance or a major second interval)
G to A = whole step   (two frets distance or a major second interval)
A to B = whole step   (two frets distance or a major second interval)
B to C = half step      (one fret distance or a minor second interval)

Memorize the major scale formula: WS,WS,HS - WS,WS,WS - HS 

By moving to the right five scale steps we produce the next key center or key signature. 
(the basis for the circle of fifths (and fourths) was first described and illustrated by Nikolai Diletskii in 1679)

C major = C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C

Count from C (1st scale degree) to the right - five scale degrees - and you get 

G (5th scale degree) the next closes key. Only one note difference F#.

G major = G, A, B, C, D, E, F#, G                      one sharp F#

Notice how the F# is needed to maintain the same interval relationship of:
WS,WS,HS,WS,WS,WS,HS.

In other words G to A = WS, A to B = WS, B to C = HS, 
C to D = WS, D to E = WS, E to F# = WS, F# to G = HS.

D major = D, E, F#, G, A, B, C#, D                    two sharps F# and C#

A major = A, B, C#, D, E, F#, G#, A                  three sharps F#, C#, G# 
(notice how the old sharps are carried into the new key and the newest sharp added is the seventh scale degree)

E major = E, F#, G#, A, B, C#, D, E                 four sharps F#, C#, G#, D#

B major = B, C#, D#, E, F#, G#, A#, B             five sharps F#, C#, G, D#, A#

F# major = F#, G#, A#, B, C#, D#, E#, F#        six sharps F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E#

C# major = C#, D#, E#, F#, G#, A#, B#, C#      seven sharps F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E#, B#


C major uses no sharps or flats.

G major uses one sharp       F#
D major uses two sharps      F#, C#
A major uses three sharps    F#, C,#, G#
E major uses four sharps      F#, C#, G#, D#
B major uses five sharps      F#, C#, G#, D#, A#
F# major uses six sharps      F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E#
C# major uses seven sharps  F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E#, B# 


Notice the stating note is the key or key center. So memorize the note names for each key and then later the major and natural minor family of chords for each key).

The circle of fifths covers seven of our keys. Next the circle of fourths will complete our other seven keys. The key of C major has no sharps or flats. This makes a total of fifteen written keys.





All materials copy-write 2010. For personal use only.
Vince Lauria Sun and Earth Music

Intervals

By
Vince Lauria
on March 8, 2010 4:17 PM | | Comments (0)
An interval is the distance between two notes. since there are twelve notes there are twelve intervals. Memorize the name, distance and sound of each interval.

C to C = unison same note in same octave (*see definition below)

(first interval)       C to C# = minor second

(second interval)  C to D = major second

(third interval)      C to D# or Eb = minor third      (Enharmonic - Same note written differently - this is done for the purpose of writing different keys see circle of fifths and fourths) 

(fourth interval)    C to E = major third

(fifth interval)       C to F = perfect fourth

(sixth interval)       C to F# or Gb = flat fifth or diminished fifth

(seventh interval)   C to G = perfect fifth

(eighth interval)      C to G# or Ab = minor sixth

(ninth interval)        C to A = major sixth

(tenth interval)        C to A# or Bb = minor seventh or sometimes called dominant seventh

(eleventh interval)   C to B = major seventh

(twelfth interval)      C to C = octave. 
Octave same note higher or lower in tone by eight scale steps (like octopus) or twelve chromatic half steps (fret).  

Example starting from C now transpose to all twelve notes:
C#(Db), D, D#(Eb), E, F, F#(Gb), G, G#(Ab), A, A#(Bb), B. 


*Octave: For example, if one note has a frequency of 600 Hz, the note an octave above it is at 1200 Hz, and the note an octave below is at 300 Hz. The ratio of frequencies of two notes an octave apart is therefore two to one.






All materials copy-write 2010. For personal use only.
Vince Lauria Sun and Earth Music









Slash Chords

By
Vince Lauria
on March 5, 2010 6:22 AM | | Comments (0)

A Slash Chord tells you which one of the notes within the chord will be the lowest tone that is played in that chord.

In the first examples C major is the slash chord. C major = C - E - G

 

C/C  C  the C note is the lowest tone in chord

This is a C major chord with C as the lowest tone

This is usually not indicated because it is assumed to be the lowest tone. 

 

C/E   the E note is the lowest tone in the chord

This is a C major first inversion

 

C/G  the G note is the lowest tone in chord

This is a C major second inversion

 

C/B  the B note is the lowest tone in chord

This is a C major seventh third inversion

 

C/D  the D note is the lowest tone in chord

This is a C major ninth fourth inversion

 

 

Now look at this using the key of C# major:

 

C#/E#   the E# note is the lowest tone in the chord

This is a C# major first inversion

 

C#/G#  the G# note is the lowest tone in chord

This is a C# major second inversion

 

C#/B#  the B note is the lowest tone in chord

This is a C# major seventh third inversion


C#/D#  the D note is the lowest tone in chord

This is a C# major ninth fourth inversion


(Now do this for all other thirteen keys -

G, D, A, E, B, F# - Circle of Fifth's

F, Bb, E, Ab, Db, Gb, Cb - Circle of Fourths).

 

 

Now look at this using the key of C minor.

In the following examples C minor is the chord above the lowest tone. C minor = C -Eb- G

 

Cm/Eb   the Eb note is the lowest tone in the chord

This is a C minor first inversion

 

Cm/G  the G note is the lowest tone in chord

This is a C minor second inversion

 

Cm maj7/B  the B note is the lowest tone in chord

This is a C minor major seventh third inversion

 

Cm/D  the D note is the lowest tone in chord

This is a C minor ninth fourth inversion

 

 

You can pick any note in a chord to be a slash chord. Many times this technique is used to move scale wise or chromaticly in the lowest tone:

 

"Stairway to Heaven" by Led Zeppelin:

Am/A - Am maj 7/G# - Am7/G - Bm7/F# - F maj 7 /F. This is a chromatic scale descending from A, G#, G, F#, F.

 

A is the root of A minor, G# is the major seventh of A minor, G is the flat seventh of A minor, F# is the fifth of Bm7, F is the root of Fmaj7.

 

 

"In Waltz For Debby" by Bill Evans & Gene Lees

A7/G - D7/F# - G7/F - C7/E - F7/Eb - Bb6/D - Gm7b5/Db - C7/C - C7/Bb - Am7/A.

Again a chromatic scale descending from G to A.

G is the flat seventh of A7, F# is the third of D7, F is the flat seventh of G7, E is the third of C7, Eb is the flat seventh of F7, D is the third of Bb6, Db is the flat fifth of Gm7b5, C is the root of C7, Br is the flat seventh of C7, A is the root of Am7.

 

 

Any chord can be made into a slash chord by simply adding whatever note after the slash sign.  




As always transpose to all keys!



All materials copy-write 2010. For personal use only.
Vince Lauria Sun and Earth Music.

Chord Substitutions - Part 6

By
Vince Lauria
on February 28, 2010 10:06 AM | | Comments (0)
Replace a Major, Major Seventh, Minor, Minor Seventh, Diminished, Minor Seventh Flat Fifth with a Diminished Seventh Chord:  

Original progression: C //// Em //// Dm //// G7 ////
New progression:      Cdim7 //// Em //// Dm //// G7 ////

Original progression: C //// Fmaj7 //// Dm //// G7 ////
New progression:      C //// Fdim //// Dm //// G7 ////

Original progression: C //// Fmaj7 //// Dm //// G7 ////
New progression:      C //// Fmaj7 //// Ddim7 //// G7 ////

Original progression: C //// Am7 //// Dm //// G7 ////
New progression:      C //// Adim7 //// Dm //// G7 ////

Original progression: C //// Fmaj7 //// Bo //// G7 ////
New progression:      C //// Fmaj7 //// Bdim7  //// G7 ////

Original progression: C //// Bm7b5 //// Am //// G ////
New progression:      C //// Bdim7 //// Am //// G ////

More examples using this technique:

Original progression: Cmaj7 //// Dm7 //// Em7 //// Dm7 //// Cmaj7 ////
New progression:     Cmaj7 //// C#dim7 //// Dm7 //// D#dim7 //// Em7 //// D#dim7 //// Dm7 //// Cmaj7 ////

Original progression: C //// Fmaj7 //// Bo //// Em //// Am //// Dm //// G //// C ////
New progression:      C //// Fdim7 //// Bm7b5 //// Em //// Adim7 //// Dm // Ddim7 // C ////
(you can also start on the original chord then make it into a Diminished Seventh)

Original progression: C //// Em //// F //// C ////
New progression:      C //// Em //// F // Fdim7 // C ////

Original progression: Dm //// G7 //// C //// 
New progression:      Dm //// Ddim7 //// C ////


Substitute the ii or IV chords with the Neapolitan sixth chord.
Also similar to earlier chord substitutions it is a flat II chord in first inversion.
Example given in key of C major:

Original progression: Dm //// G7 //// C //// 
New progression:      Db/F //// G7 //// C ///









As always transpose to all keys!
Also try any and all of your own combinations then work on them to improve!


All materials copy-write 2010. For personal use only.
Vince Lauria Sun and Earth Music.



Chord Substitutions - Part 5

By
Vince Lauria
on February 27, 2010 9:18 AM | | Comments (0)
Replace a Minor Seventh chord with a Minor Seventh Flat Fifth chord:

Original progression: C //// Dm7 //// G7 //// C ////
New progression:      C //// Dm7b5 //// G7 //// C //// 

Original progression: C //// Em7 //// F //// G7 //// C ////
New progression:      C //// Em7b5 //// F //// G7 //// C ////

Also start with the original chord then add the Minor Seventh Flat Fifth:

Original progression: C //// Am7 //// G7 //// C ////
New progression:      C //// Am7//Am7b5 //// G7 //// C6 ////

The sixth chord gives some extra flavor. 
Always work with these principles until they sound right to you.

Original progression: C //// Em7 //// Am7 //// G7 ////
New progression:      C //// Em7//Em7b5 //// Am7 //// G7 //// 


Replace any chord with a Diminished Seventh one half step (fret) below root:

Original progression: C //// G7 //// Am7 //// F //// G//// C ////
New progression:      C //// G7 //// G#dim7 //// Am7 //// F //// F#dim7 //// G//// Bdim7 //// C ////


Original progression: Am //// G //// Dm //// F //// C ////
New progression:      Am //// G //// C#dim7 //// Dm //// Edim7 //// F //// Bdim7 //// C ////

Replace the Four Chord (IV) with a minor (iv) four chord:

Original progression: C //// Em //// F //// C ////
New progression:       C //// Em //// F //// Fm //// C ////

Original progression: C //// G //// F //// C ////
New progression:       C //// G //// F //// Fm //// C ////

As always transpose to all keys!



All materials copy-write 2010. For personal use only.
Vince Lauria Sun and Earth Music.

Chord Substitutions - Part 4

By
Vince Lauria
on February 25, 2010 9:46 PM | | Comments (0)
A Minor Seventh chord can be replaced with a Dominant Seventh Chord:

Original progression: C //// Am7 //// F //// G7 //// C ////
New progression:       C //// A7 //// F //// G7 //// C ////

Also it works the other way a Dominant Seventh chord can be replaced with a Minor Seventh Chord:

Original progression: C //// G7//// F //// Dm //// G7 //// C ////
New progression:       C //// Gm7 //// F //// Dm //// G7 //// C ////

Also the Minor Seventh Chord can be replaced by the Dominant Seven/Sixth Chord and then return back to the Minor Seventh Chord:

Original progression: C //// G7//// F //// Dm7 //// G7 //// C ////
New progression:      C //// G7 //// F //// Dm7 //// D7/6 //// Dm7 //// G7 //// C ////



Also the Dominant Seventh Chord (V7) can be replaced with the Diminished Seventh Chord starting on the seventh scale degree. Many times this is used to resolve to the (I) Major chord:

Original progression: C //// G7//// F //// Dm //// G7 //// C ////
New progression:       C //// G7 //// F //// Dm //// Bdim7 //// C ////

G Dominant Seventh  = R, 3rd, 5th, b7th   - the notes are = G, B, D, F  
B Diminished Seventh = R, b3, b5th, bb7th - the notes are = B, D, F, Ab
The B Diminished also can be thought of as G7b9 first inversion. (3rd in bass) 
The A flat replaces the G note.


Also for all scales the Family of Chords within that scale can used in scale-wise order:

Original progression: C //// //// G //// G7 //// C //// ////
New progression:      C // Dm// Em// F// G //// G7 //// C //// ////

Same idea not in scale-wise order:

Original progression: C //// //// G //// G7 //// C //// ////
New progression:      Cmaj7 //// Am // G// Em //// G7 //// C //// ////

Remember that the bottom line to all these techniques is to experiment and find what YOU like best. They are a path but you must walk that path and work hard to discover the great sounds that await you! 

 


As always transpose to all keys!



All materials copy-write 2010. For personal use only.
Vince Lauria Sun and Earth Music.

Chord Substitutions - Part 3

By
Vince Lauria
on February 22, 2010 8:22 AM | | Comments (0)
Flat Five Substitution:
Substitute a Dominant Seventh Chord with another Dominant Seventh Chord 
where the root is a flat fifth (diminished) apart:                   

Original progression: Dm7 //// G7 //// Cmaj7 ////
New progression:     Dm7 //// Db7 //// Cmaj7 ////

The D Flat Dominant seventh was substituted for the G dominant seventh. The D Flat Dominant Seventh is a flat fifth interval distance from the G seventh. Also called a tritone interval. A distance of three whole steps. Tri means three, Tone in this case means three whole step. G to A, A to B, B to D flat.


Original progression: Em7 //// Dm7 //// Cmaj7 ////
New progression:     Em7 //// Dm7 //// Db7/6 //// Cmaj7 ////

Original progression: Em7 //// A7 //// Dm7 //// G7 //// Cmaj7 ////
New progression:      Em7 //// Eb7 //// Dm7 //// Db7 //// Cmaj7 ////

Original progression: Em7 //// A7 //// Dm7 //// G7 //// Cmaj7 ////
New progression:      Em7#5 //// A7#9 //// Dm7 //// G11 //// Cmaj7 ////
Notice how the C note is used as a pedal tone throughout the cord changes.  

Em7#5 = R, b3, b7, #5 =  E, G, D, C
A7#9    = R,  3, b7, #9 =  A, C#, G, C 
Dm7     = R, b3, 5, b7 =   D, F, A, C
G11      = R, b7, 9, 11 =   G, F, A, C
C maj 7 = R, 3, 5, 7, R = C, E, G, B, C  
 
Notice how the C note remains throughout each chord change.


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