Dick Hauser - Posted - 12/11/2017:  10:22:19

I am looking for an instructional on chord substitution. One that explains the different types of substitutions, and also provides a examples of how it can be done. The instructional would contain 6 - 12 commonly played tunes. I don't want an instructional like those written for jazz guitarists. It would not be that advanced. This instructional would be designed to teach the average guitarist how to make chord progressions more interesting. It would explain the musical concept, and then explain where it could be used in the tunes the book contains.

Here would be an example -
The sixth chord in the major scale, the relative minor, can be substituted for the major chord. Several examples are (1) Key of C major - substitute Am (2) Key of G major - Substitute Em.
Then it would refer to a specific example, like the Am above and identify the tune(s) and which measures are candidates for this chord substitution.

Having this knowledge would let me change chord progressions and create more interesting sound, and more variety of sounds. When playing a "break"/melody, I could change the note progression to reflect the chord which is replacing another chord. In some cases, using more advanced chord progressions make rhythm accompaniment sound more appropriate.

I am aware of some theory used in chord substitution. One example would be finding chords with common tunes, like the C Major chord ( C-E-G) having common tones to the A Minor chord ( A-C-E). If I were still programming computers, I would write a program to accomplish this. But I think a good instructional would enable me to better understand what/how/where better. In addition there are large number of chords I would have to check out.

Texasbanjo - Posted - 12/12/2017:  04:57:41

Somewhere I have a small booklet that explains information like that.... and it's for guitar.  I'll look and if I can find it, I'll post the title and publisher.  As I remember, it's a small booklet and was very inexpensive.

Jim Yates - Posted - 12/12/2017:  15:35:48

The vi chord can often be substituted for the V chord. (Am for D7 or 2 beats of Am, followed by two of D7) 

A 9 or 13 chord can be used in place of a 7 chord. (D9 - X54555 or D13 -X54557)

Passing chords add interest to a passage. (when going from D to C, hit a C# chord in between or when going from G to E, put a beat of F#, then  F in place of the last two beats of G)

Ma7 and 6 chords may often be substituted for a Ma chord. (I like to play two beats each on A, AMa7, A6, AMa7, at the start of Hank Williams' Hey Good Lookin'.)

Edited by - Jim Yates on 12/12/2017 15:37:30