Chord substitution - 1

CHORD SUBSTITUTIONS

Chord substitution refers to the art of changing and/or adding chords to a progression in order to create harmony that is different and more interesting. The general chord substitution rule holds that chords that share two or more notes in common can be readily substituted for each other. Substitutions that share two or more notes in common are referred to as a common tone substitution. Any chord substitution must sound good and your ear is always the final arbiter of acceptability.

This several examples of frequently used common tone substitutions.

Original chords : C ( C E G )

Substitution chords : Am ( A C E ) and Em ( E G B )

Original chords : F ( F A C )

Substitution chords : Dm ( D F A ) and Am ( A C E )