BookatlasPiano Rabbit Hole: Improvisation Theory & Practice
1146 / 18210 · Module 22 — Chord Substitution: Different Chords, Same Job← prev⊞ allnext →

Homework for Module 22

A. Tritone pairs

Memorize physically:

G ↔ D♭

D ↔ A♭

A ↔ E♭

E ↔ B♭

B ↔ F

F♯/G♭ ↔ C

Then make both sides dominant 7 chords.


B. Standard versus tritone

Practice:

Dm7 → G7 → Cmaj7

Dm7 → G7 → Cmaj7

then:

Dm7 → D♭7 → Cmaj7

Dm7 → D♭7 → Cmaj7

Listen specifically to:

B → C

B → C

and:

F → E

F → E

in both.


C. Other keys

Practice:

Am7 → D7 → Gmaj7

Am7 → D7 → Gmaj7

then:

Am7 → A♭7 → Gmaj7

Am7 → A♭7 → Gmaj7

And:

Gm7 → C7 → Fmaj7

Gm7 → C7 → Fmaj7

then:

Gm7 → G♭7 → Fmaj7

Gm7 → G♭7 → Fmaj7


D. Secondary-dominant substitution

Compare:

A7 → Dm

with:

E♭7 → Dm

Then:

E7 → Am

with:

B♭7 → Am


E. Backdoor cadence

Practice:

Fm7 → B♭7 → Cmaj7

Fm7 → B♭7 → Cmaj7

Compare against:

Dm7 → G7 → Cmaj7

Dm7 → G7 → Cmaj7

Then alternate them.


F. Five ways home

In C, play:

  1. G7 → C
  2. B°7 → C
  3. D♭7 → C
  4. B♭7 → C
  5. Fm → C

Describe the emotional difference in your own words.


G. Held melody

Hold RH G.

Under it, try:

G7

G7 = G B D F

D♭7

D♭7 = D♭ F A♭ C♭

B♭7

B♭7 = B♭ D F A♭

Fm9

Fm9 = F A♭ C E♭ G

then resolve each to Cmaj7.

Listen to how G's harmonic meaning changes.


H. Reharmonize one cadence

Take a familiar song.

Find one ordinary:

V7 → I

cadence.

Create:

  • tritone-sub version
  • backdoor version
  • borrowed-iv version

Keep whichever one actually suits the melody.