BookatlasPiano Rabbit Hole: Improvisation Theory & Practice
634 / 18210 · Module 15 — Chromatic Harmony, Borrowed Chords, and Modal Interchange← prev⊞ allnext →

15.3The most famous borrowed chord: iv in major

In C major:

IV = F major

F A C

But from C minor we can borrow:

iv = Fm

F A♭ C

Try:

C → F → Fm → C

C → F → Fm → C

This is one of the most recognizable borrowed-chord sounds.

Listen especially to:

A → A♭ → G

A → A♭ → G

That chromatic descending line explains much of the emotional effect.