C
E
A
D
F
E
G
C
D
F
D
<
G
C
E
A
D
G
B
Common Chord Substitutions
Tonic
Super Tonic
Mediant
Sub-Dominant
Dominant
Submediant
Leading Tone
I
IIm
IIIm
IV
V
VIm
VII
[
<
III
IVm
Vm
<
VI
<
VII
Im
II
[
Major
Minor
6
maj7
6
maj7
dom
7
dom
7
dom
7
6
maj7
m7
m6
m7
m7
m7
m7
maj7
m7
<
5
6
6
m7
m9
m7
B
]
7
}
2
Name and Function
1
Chord Degree
3
Substitute Chords
Common Chord Substitutions
Harmonizing the diatonic scale produces chords with different sounds. These chords
have different qualities which produce different effects when played in a piece of music.
Though these chords offer a wide range of expression, musicians often want to add vari-
ety and surprise to their music. This is accomplished by substituting existing chords with
ones that sound different but accomplish the same harmonic function. When the new
chord belongs to the same key as the original chord, it is called a
diatonic substitution
.
This section of the Harmonizer shows some of the more common chord substitutions and
a few basic rules.
20
This indicates the one
chord (I) of the Major Scale
Theoretical names indicate
chord function in major scale.
This indicates the one
chord (Im) of the Minor Scale
