With Chord Substitutions
by Scott Houston
One thing that stumps many beginner-level piano students playing nonclassical pop and jazz styles is why they don't sound as polished as the pros they hear playing the same tunes. They know they are using the same chord symbols, from the same lead sheets, but pros make things sound much more lush or modern.
A big reason for the discrepancy is that professional players feel confident using some common chord substitutions that replace more basic chords with richer sounding chords. The great news is that getting started with chord substitutions is not that difficult, if you know a few basic tricks of the trade that I'll share with you here.
The three main chord types (or "flavors" as I like to call them on my TV show) are major, minor, and seventh chords. What I'm teaching you now only applies to the major and minor chords. Play any seventh chords as is, without any changes.
To get started in very simplified terms, you basically need to add a note on "top" of the basic major and minor chords you often find in a lead sheet. Instead of playing three-note chords for major and minor chords, you'll add a fourth note to make them sound fuller.
There are two main substitutions you can use that will work the majority of the time: Substitute a major seventh chord for a simple major chord, and substitute a minor seventh chord for a simple minor chord.
Here's what the substitutions look like using C as the root of the chords:
Needless to say, you keep the same root when substituting chords. For example, you would substitute a F Major 7 for an F chord, or a D minor 7 for a D minor chord.
Without trying to get too deep, it's important to recognize the difference between the note you add to create a major seventh as opposed to a minor seventh. The note you add to turn a regular major chord into a major seventh is easily found because it is only one half-step below the upper octave of the root. For example, if the root is C, then the note you are looking to add is a B (added on top of the normal major chord). However, the note you add to make a minor seventh chord is one whole-step down. So, using C as the root again, the note you are looking to add is a Bb (added on top of the normal minor chord).
So, whenever you come across a regular old major chord, try to sneak in a major seventh chord as a substitute. Similarly, whenever you come across a regular old minor chord, try to substitute a minor seventh chord.
Although these substitutions will work the vast majority of the time, every now and then (depending on the note the melody is on when you play the chord) it might sound a little dissonant. As always, let your ears be the ultimate judge of whether to use the new chord or not. If it sounds good, which it will the vast majority of the time, stick with it. If, for some reason, your ears don't like the way it sounds, skip the substitution in that spot. It's not complicated.
This is just a very simple sneak peek and the first step into a really fun area of music theory for pop and jazz style players. However, just getting started with these two "bite-sized" substitutions will make your playing sound significantly more polished and professional right away. Have fun!
Scott Houston is a Public Television personality, piano teacher, educator, and professional speaker also known as "The Piano Guy." For more information visit the websites: www.scotthouston.com and www.playpianoinaflash.com.
