What is substitution in jazz?

In music theory, chord substitution is the technique of using a chord in place of another in a progression of chords, or a chord progression. Much of the European classical repertoire and the vast majority of blues, jazz and rock music songs are based on chord progressions.

What is harmonic substitution?

Chord substitution involves replacing a chord with another that has similar harmonic function. It allows you to change the sound of a tune while still retaining much of its original color.

What chord can you substitute for B7?

B major is often used as a chord substitute for B7, since B major can be a much easier chord to play, and is the truncated, triadic form of the tetrad, B7.

What substitutes dominant?

A “substitute dominant” or “tritone substitution” is a special type of chord whose function is closely related to that of the secondary dominant.

What can you play over tritone substitution?

Another scale you can play over tritone substitutions is the major pentatonic scale or the major blues scale. The following example starts on the D minor pentatonic scale, goes to the Db major pentatonic scale in bar 2 and ends on the C major pentatonic scale in bar 3.

What is the tritone substitution in jazz music?

A minor 7 A C E G The tritone substitution. The tritone substitution is very common in Jazz, and it is the substitution of a Dominant 7 chord with the Dominant 7 chord three whole tones above the root. Three whole tones is the same as the b5. For example, a G7 chord can be substituted with the Db7 chord.

Do you need to know chord substitutions for jazz?

Not only does jazz utilize the full spectrum of diatonic harmonic movement, it includes modal harmony, and also a slew of substitutions. It’s important for musicians studying jazz to know some of the common jazz chord progressions that you will encounter in jazz standards.

When do you use a tritone chord substitution?

The tritone substitution is a dominant, or secondary dominant 7th chord whose root is a tritone (3 whole steps) away from the original chord. These chords are interchangeable because the tritone interval pitches are identical in each. In Blues and Jazz turnarounds, it’s common practice to use harmonic substitutions for any of the chords.

Which is the dominant 7 chord in jazz?

It’s important to note that in this example the vi chord has been made into a dominant 7 chord (VI). This is a common practice in jazz and creates more voice leading. There you go, a little bonus! This brings us into the next one…