Diatonic Substitutions - Part 1

Using the C major scale (Major Key Substitutions) lets look at the most common diatonic (within the scale) substitutions.

Original progression: C //// F //// G //// C ////
First substitution: Am //// F //// G //// C //// (replace C major with A minor)
Second substitution: Am7 //// F //// G //// C //// (replace C major with A minor seventh)
Third substitution: Em //// F //// G //// C //// (replace C major with E minor)
Fourth substitution: Em7 //// F //// G //// C //// (replace C major with E minor seventh)

The Tonic or I chord (C major chord) can be replaced with the iii,
Em or Em7 or the vi, Am or Am7.

Original progression: C //// F //// G/// C ////
First substitution: C //// Dm //// G //// C //// (replace F major with D minor)
Second substitution: C //// Dm7 //// G //// C //// (replace F major with D minor seventh)
Third substitution: C //// Am //// G //// C //// (replace F major with A minor)
Fourth substitution: C //// Am7 //// G //// C //// (replace F major with A minor seventh)

The Subdominant or IV chord or F major can be replaced with the ii, or vi chords i.e. Dm, Dm7 or Am, Am7. Also Dm or Am with F major.

Original progression: C //// F //// G/// C ////
First substitution: C //// F //// Bo //// C //// (replace G major or G7 with B diminished)
Second substitution: C //// F //// Bm7b5 //// C //// (replace G major or G7 with B minor seventh flat fifth)

The Dominant or V7 (G7) or V (G) chord can be replaced with the Diminished chord viio -
B diminished or B minor seventh flat fifth.
Also Bo, Bm7b5 can replace the G or G7.

Using the A minor scale (Minor Key Substitutions) lets look at the most common diatonic (within the scale) substitutions. A minor is the Relative Minor also called the Aeolian mode.

The Im (minor seventh) replaced with the (b III) Major or Major Seventh
Original progression: Am7//// Dm7 //// Em7 //// Am7 ////
Substitution progression: Cmaj7 //// Dm7 //// Em7 //// Am7 ////

The IVm (minor seventh) replaced with the (Viio) Diminished or Minor Seventh Flat Fifth
or the (bVI) F major or F Major Seventh
Original progression: Dm7//// Em7 //// Am7 ////
Substitution progression: Bo //// Em7 //// Am7 ////
or Bm7b5 //// Em7 //// Am7 //// or
Fmaj7 //// Em7 //// Am7 ////

The Vm (minor seventh) replaced with the (bVII) G Dominant Seventh
Original progression: Dm7//// Em7 //// Am7 ////
Substitution progression: Dm7 //// G7 //// Am7 ////

The Vm (minor seventh) replaced with the Dominant Seventh or Diminished or Diminished Seventh
Original progression: Dm7//// Em7 //// Am7 ////
Substitution progression: Dm7 //// E7 //// Am7 ////

Original progression: Dm7//// Em7 //// Am7 ////
Substitution progression: Dm7 //// G#o //// Am7 ////
or Dm7 //// G#o7 //// Am7 ////

As always transpose to all keys!

All materials (c) 2010. For personal use only.
Vince Lauria Sun and Earth Music.