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.
Now transpose these to each position (register) of your instrument, then to all 15 keys.
All materials copyright 2010. For personal use only.
Vince Lauria Sun and Earth Music
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