"A Comprehensive Guide to Chord Substitution on the Piano"

 # tutorial "A Comprehensive Guide to Chord Substitution on the Piano"

Introduction to Chord Substitution:

Chord substitution is a technique used by musicians to replace one chord with another in a progression, while still maintaining the overall harmony and structure of the piece. It's a powerful tool for adding variety, tension, and color to your compositions or improvisations.!

Understanding Chord Functions:

Before diving into chord substitution, it's essential to understand the functions of chords within a key. In a typical major or minor key, chords serve specific roles:

Tonic (I): Provides a sense of rest and resolution.

Subdominant (IV): Creates tension, leading to the dominant chord.

Dominant (V): Provides the strongest sense of tension, leading back to the tonic chord.

Types of Chord Substitution:

Diatonic Substitution: Involves replacing one chord with another from the same key. For example, substituting a I chord with a vi chord (known as a "relative minor substitution") can add a softer, more introspective feel to a progression.

Modal Interchange: Also known as "borrowed chords," this involves borrowing chords from parallel keys. For instance, in the key of C major, borrowing the bIII chord (Eb major) from the parallel minor key (C minor) can introduce a darker, more emotive sound.

Secondary Dominants: Involves using dominant chords that aren't native to the key to create additional tension and movement. For example, using a V/V (the dominant of the dominant) chord before a standard V chord can intensify the sense of resolution when returning to the tonic.

Practical Application: using Key C as an example.

1. C Major Scale Progression:

C - Dm - Em - F - G - Am - Bdim - C

Chord formulas:

C Major (I): 1 - 3 - 5

D minor (ii): 1 - ♭3 - 5

E minor (iii): 1 - ♭3 - 5

F Major (IV): 1 - 3 - 5

G Major (V): 1 - 3 - 5

A minor (vi): 1 - ♭3 - 5

B diminished (vii°): 1 - ♭3 - ♭5

Here are some chord substitution options for each chord:

C Major (I): Can be substituted with its relative minor, Am, for a softer, introspective sound.

D minor (ii): Can be substituted with its dominant seventh chord, D7, to add extra tension and color.

E minor (iii): Can be substituted with its relative major, G major, to create a brighter, more uplifting feel

F Major (IV): Can be substituted with its subdominant minor, Fm, for a more melancholic or jazzy sound.

G Major (V): Can be substituted with its secondary dominant, D major (V/V), to intensify the tension before resolving back to C.

A minor (vi): Can be substituted with its relative major, C major, to add a sense of stability and resolution.

B diminished (vii°): Can be substituted with its substitute dominant, F#7, to create a stronger pull back to the tonic, C major.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, chord substitution on the piano offers endless creative possibilities for players of all levels. By understanding chord functions and experimenting with substitutions, you can add depth and color to your music. So, explore and unleash your creativity with chord substitution on the piano!

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