Borrowed Chords

Borrowed Chords: A Guide for Musicians

What Are Borrowed Chords?

Borrowed chords, also known as modal mixture, are chords borrowed from a parallel key or scale with the same root note. They are used to add interest and variety to chord progressions.

How to Borrow Chords

To borrow a chord, simply find the parallel key or scale that contains the desired chord. For example, if you are in the key of C major, you can borrow chords from the C minor scale.

Once you have found the parallel key or scale, identify the chord you want to borrow. For example, you could borrow the Em chord from the C minor scale.

Finally, substitute the borrowed chord for a chord in your original progression. For example, you could replace the Am chord in a C major progression with the Em chord.

Benefits of Using Borrowed Chords

Borrowed chords can add a number of benefits to your music, including:

• Interest and variety
• Fresh ideas for songwriting
• Unique chord progressions
• Emotional impact

Examples of Borrowed Chords

Here are some examples of borrowed chords:

• The Em chord in a C major progression
• The Ab chord in a Db major progression
• The F#m chord in a B major progression
• The G7 chord in a C major progression

Conclusion

Borrowed chords are a powerful tool that can add interest, variety, and emotion to your music. By understanding how to borrow chords, you can open up near limitless options for crafting unique chord progressions.