Borrowed chord
Encyclopedia
A borrowed chord is a chord
borrowed from the parallel key
(minor
or major scale
with the same tonic
). Borrowed chords are typically used as "color chords", providing variety through contrasting scale forms, major and the three forms of minor. Similarly chords may be borrowed from the parallel modes
, the various modes beginning on the same tonic, for example Dorian
or Phrygian.
Six chords borrowed from the parallel minor key are commonly found in the Baroque
, Classical and Romantic
eras (shown here in C major):
Diminished supertonic
triad (iio): D - F - A
Half-diminished
supertonic seventh
(iiØ7): D - F - A - C
"Flat three
" (III): E - G - B
Minor
subdominant
(iv): F - A - C
"Flat six
" (VI): A - C - E
Fully diminished
leading-tone
seventh (viio7): B - D - F - A
The following three chords are also found in Romantic era, albeit rarely:
Minor subdominant seventh (iv7): F - A - C - E
Major-minor subdominant seventh (IV7): F - A - C - E
Dominant flat ninth
(V9): G - B - D - F - A
The major-minor subdominant seventh, which contains an A, is borrowed from the parallel ascending melodic minor scale.
If the root
of the borrowed chord is not in the original key
, then the chord is named by the accidental
. For instance, in a major key, a chord built on the parallel minor's sixth degree is a "flat six chord" written VI.
Chord progression
s may be constructed with borrowed chords, including two progressions common in rock music, I - VII - VI - VII, common everywhere, and I - VI - IV, used a lot by bands including Genesis
, Yes
and Nirvana
. VII is from Mixolydian
and VI is found in both Aeolian
and Phrygian
. The VII-I cadence with VII substituting for V is common, as well as II-I, III-I, and VI-I. In popular music
, the major triad on the lowered third scale degree (III), the major triad on the lowered sixth scale degree (VI) and the major triad on the lowered seventh scale degree, or "flat seven" (VII, in C major: B, D, F) are common. Borrowing from a parallel major key is a common feature of grunge
, and can be occasionally be found in other styles of post-grunge Rock. Otherwise it is generally limited in western music to ending a minor piece on a major tonic triad, a chord which is then called a Picardy third
, use of the Major subdominant chord (in C minor: F, A, C, generally used when A is in the bass leading upward to B and then C) and the Major dominant chord (in C minor: G, B, D). However, the latter of these could also be viewed as use of the harmonic minor scale.
In major the typical chords borrowed from minor are iv, VI, VII, and in jazz, the ii. The VII is also known as the subtonic
. The lowered-sixth occurs in many of the chords borrowed from minor and is a, "distinctive characteristic," of borrowed chords. Borrowed chords have typical inversions or common positions, for example ii6 and ii
, and progress in the same manner as the diatonic chords they replace except for VI, which progresses to V(7).
Chord (music)
A chord in music is any harmonic set of two–three or more notes that is heard as if sounding simultaneously. These need not actually be played together: arpeggios and broken chords may for many practical and theoretical purposes be understood as chords...
borrowed from the parallel key
Parallel key
In music, parallel keys are the major and minor scales that have the same tonic. A major and minor scale sharing the same tonic are said to be in a parallel relationship...
(minor
Minor scale
A minor scale in Western music theory includes any scale that contains, in its tonic triad, at least three essential scale degrees: 1) the tonic , 2) a minor-third, or an interval of a minor third above the tonic, and 3) a perfect-fifth, or an interval of a perfect fifth above the tonic, altogether...
or major scale
Major scale
In music theory, the major scale or Ionian scale is one of the diatonic scales. It is made up of seven distinct notes, plus an eighth which duplicates the first an octave higher. In solfege these notes correspond to the syllables "Do, Re, Mi, Fa, Sol, La, Ti/Si, ", the "Do" in the parenthesis at...
with the same tonic
Tonic (music)
In music, the tonic is the first scale degree of the diatonic scale and the tonal center or final resolution tone. The triad formed on the tonic note, the tonic chord, is thus the most significant chord...
). Borrowed chords are typically used as "color chords", providing variety through contrasting scale forms, major and the three forms of minor. Similarly chords may be borrowed from the parallel modes
Musical mode
In the theory of Western music since the ninth century, mode generally refers to a type of scale. This usage, still the most common in recent years, reflects a tradition dating to the middle ages, itself inspired by the theory of ancient Greek music.The word encompasses several additional...
, the various modes beginning on the same tonic, for example Dorian
Dorian mode
Due to historical confusion, Dorian mode or Doric mode can refer to three very different musical modes or diatonic scales, the Greek, the medieval, and the modern.- Greek Dorian mode :...
or Phrygian.
Six chords borrowed from the parallel minor key are commonly found in the Baroque
Baroque music
Baroque music describes a style of Western Classical music approximately extending from 1600 to 1760. This era follows the Renaissance and was followed in turn by the Classical era...
, Classical and Romantic
Romantic music
Romantic music or music in the Romantic Period is a musicological and artistic term referring to a particular period, theory, compositional practice, and canon in Western music history, from 1810 to 1900....
eras (shown here in C major):
Diminished supertonic
Supertonic
In music or music theory, the supertonic is the second degree or note of a diatonic scale, one step above the tonic. In music theory, the supertonic chord is symbolized by the Roman numeral ii in a major scale, indicating that the chord is a minor chord , or ii in a natural minor scale, indicating...
triad (iio): D - F - A
Half-diminished
Half-diminished seventh chord
In music theory, the half-diminished seventh chord is created by taking the root, minor third, diminished fifth and minor seventh of any major scale; for example, C half-diminished is . Its consecutive intervals are minor 3rd, minor 3rd, major 3rd...
supertonic seventh
Seventh
Seventh may refer to:* Seventh Amendment to the United States Constitution-Music:* Diminished seventh, a chromatically reduced minor seventh interval...
(iiØ7): D - F - A - C
"Flat three
Mediant
In music, the mediant is the third scale degree of the diatonic scale, being the note halfway between the tonic and the dominant. Similarly, the submediant is halfway between the tonic and subdominant...
" (III): E - G - B
Minor
Minor chord
In music theory, a minor chord is a chord having a root, a minor third, and a perfect fifth.When a chord has these three notes alone, it is called a minor triad....
subdominant
Subdominant
In music, the subdominant is the technical name for the fourth tonal degree of the diatonic scale. It is so called because it is the same distance "below" the tonic as the dominant is above the tonic - in other words, the tonic is the dominant of the subdominant. It is also the note immediately...
(iv): F - A - C
"Flat six
Submediant
In music, the submediant is the sixth scale degree of the diatonic scale, the 'lower mediant' halfway between the tonic and the subdominant or 'lower dominant'...
" (VI): A - C - E
Fully diminished
Diminished seventh chord
A diminished seventh chord is a four note chord that comprises a diminished triad plus the interval of a diminished seventh above the root. Thus it is , or enharmonically , of any major scale; for example, C diminished-seventh would be , or enharmonically...
leading-tone
Leading-tone
In music theory, a leading-note is a note or pitch which resolves or "leads" to a note one semitone higher or lower, being a lower and upper leading-tone, respectively....
seventh (viio7): B - D - F - A
The following three chords are also found in Romantic era, albeit rarely:
Minor subdominant seventh (iv7): F - A - C - E
Major-minor subdominant seventh (IV7): F - A - C - E
Dominant flat ninth
Ninth
In music, a ninth is a compound interval consisting of an octave plus a second.Like the second, the interval of a ninth is classified as a dissonance in common practice tonality. Since a ninth is a larger than a second, its sonority level is considered less dense.-Major ninth:A major ninth is a...
(V9): G - B - D - F - A
The major-minor subdominant seventh, which contains an A, is borrowed from the parallel ascending melodic minor scale.
If the root
Root (chord)
In music theory, the root of a chord is the note or pitch upon which a triadic chord is built. For example, the root of the major triad C-E-G is C....
of the borrowed chord is not in the original key
Key (music)
In music theory, the term key is used in many different and sometimes contradictory ways. A common use is to speak of music as being "in" a specific key, such as in the key of C major or in the key of F-sharp. Sometimes the terms "major" or "minor" are appended, as in the key of A minor or in the...
, then the chord is named by the accidental
Accidental (music)
In music, an accidental is a note whose pitch is not a member of a scale or mode indicated by the most recently applied key signature. In musical notation, the symbols used to mark such notes, sharps , flats , and naturals , may also be called accidentals...
. For instance, in a major key, a chord built on the parallel minor's sixth degree is a "flat six chord" written VI.
Chord progression
Chord progression
A chord progression is a series of musical chords, or chord changes that "aims for a definite goal" of establishing a tonality founded on a key, root or tonic chord. In other words, the succession of root relationships...
s may be constructed with borrowed chords, including two progressions common in rock music, I - VII - VI - VII, common everywhere, and I - VI - IV, used a lot by bands including Genesis
Genesis (band)
Genesis are an English rock band that formed in 1967. The band currently comprises the longest-tenured members Tony Banks , Mike Rutherford and Phil Collins . Past members Peter Gabriel , Steve Hackett and Anthony Phillips , also played major roles in the band in its early years...
, Yes
Yes (band)
Yes are an English rock band who achieved worldwide success with their progressive, art, and symphonic style of rock music. Regarded as one of the pioneers of the progressive genre, Yes are known for their lengthy songs, mystical lyrics, elaborate album art, and live stage sets...
and Nirvana
Nirvana (band)
Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987...
. VII is from Mixolydian
Mixolydian mode
Mixolydian mode may refer to one of three things: the name applied to one of the ancient Greek harmoniai or tonoi, based on a particular octave species or scale; one of the medieval church modes; a modern musical mode or diatonic scale, related to the medieval mode.-Greek Mixolydian:The idea of a...
and VI is found in both Aeolian
Aeolian mode
The Aeolian mode is a musical mode or, in modern usage, a diatonic scale called the natural minor scale.The word "Aeolian" in the music theory of ancient Greece was an alternative name for what Aristoxenus called the Low Lydian tonos , nine semitones...
and Phrygian
Phrygian mode
The Phrygian mode can refer to three different musical modes: the ancient Greek tonos or harmonia sometimes called Phrygian, formed on a particular set octave species or scales; the Medieval Phrygian mode, and the modern conception of the Phrygian mode as a diatonic scale, based on the latter...
. The VII-I cadence with VII substituting for V is common, as well as II-I, III-I, and VI-I. In popular music
Popular music
Popular music belongs to any of a number of musical genres "having wide appeal" and is typically distributed to large audiences through the music industry. It stands in contrast to both art music and traditional music, which are typically disseminated academically or orally to smaller, local...
, the major triad on the lowered third scale degree (III), the major triad on the lowered sixth scale degree (VI) and the major triad on the lowered seventh scale degree, or "flat seven" (VII, in C major: B, D, F) are common. Borrowing from a parallel major key is a common feature of grunge
Grunge
Grunge is a subgenre of alternative rock that emerged during the mid-1980s in the American state of Washington, particularly in the Seattle area. Inspired by hardcore punk, heavy metal, and indie rock, grunge is generally characterized by heavily distorted electric guitars, contrasting song...
, and can be occasionally be found in other styles of post-grunge Rock. Otherwise it is generally limited in western music to ending a minor piece on a major tonic triad, a chord which is then called a Picardy third
Picardy third
A Picardy third is a harmonic device used in European classical music.It refers to the use of a major chord of the tonic at the end of a musical section which is either modal or in a minor key...
, use of the Major subdominant chord (in C minor: F, A, C, generally used when A is in the bass leading upward to B and then C) and the Major dominant chord (in C minor: G, B, D). However, the latter of these could also be viewed as use of the harmonic minor scale.
Subtonic
In music, the subtonic or flattened seventh is the lowered or minor seventh degree of the scale, a whole step below the tonic, as opposed to the leading tone...
. The lowered-sixth occurs in many of the chords borrowed from minor and is a, "distinctive characteristic," of borrowed chords. Borrowed chords have typical inversions or common positions, for example ii6 and ii
, and progress in the same manner as the diatonic chords they replace except for VI, which progresses to V(7).External links
- "Mode Mixture", Robert J. Frank, Theory on the Web.
- "Glossary: Terms Used in Writing Skills", Berklee.
- Mike Campese. Guest Column: "Modal Interchange", Guitar Nine Records.
- "Altered Chords in Jazz: Modal Interchange - Altered Chords", Taming the Saxophone.