Chord substitution
In this article we will explore chord substitution. This phrase is exactly as it sounds: we replace one chord with another. This will result in increased harmonic options that will enhance your solos.
Chord substitution: major to minor and minor to major
Let’s begin with a very easy chord substitution. Take a major 7 chord, 1-3-5-7, and then play its inversion building from the 3. This results in 3-5-7-9. Here’s an example. My original chord is Fmaj7 and its chord substitute is Amin7.
![Chord substitution from Fmaj7 to Amin7.](https://www.learnjazzpianoonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Fmaj7-Am7_0001-600x123.png)
Now look at this basic I-VI-II-V sequence in F major.
![1625 before chord substitution.](https://www.learnjazzpianoonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/basic-1625-piano_0001-600x200.png)
I will now swap the F major 7 in bar 1 to A minor 7.
![The chord substitution for Fmaj7 is Dmin7](https://www.learnjazzpianoonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Am7-Dm7-Gm7-C7_0001-600x188.png)
Here’s a short solo over these four bars. Notice in bar 3 I’m playing a broken chord of Bbmaj7 but am retaining the G shell in my left hand. In Bar 4 I am playing a diminished broken chord over C7(b9).
![1625 solo with substitutes.](https://www.learnjazzpianoonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Am7-Dm7-Gm7-C7-solo_0001-600x159.png)
Chord substitution of a minor 7 chord with a dominant 7.
I could now take both the Dm7 and Gm7 and substitute them for for D7 and G7
![Chord substitution of minor chords changed to dominant 7s.](https://www.learnjazzpianoonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Min-to-dom-7-600x128.png)
As I’ve said many times before, dominant 7 chords furnish us with greater harmonic possibilities such as option to add altered notes (alterations).
In the next example my chord sequence is a pretty regular turnaround
but notice the broken chords I play in the right hand at bars 3 and 4.
![The use of chord substitutes in the form of broken chords over the original chord.](https://www.learnjazzpianoonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Am7-Dm7-Gm7-C7-solo_0001-1-600x159.png)
And here’s my YouTube video about chord substitution.
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