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.
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