03/20/2026
Did you know you can access more than just the 7 chords in the major or minor scale to make chord progressions? Here's something I've been working on lately that uses this concept. In the first section I'm playing mostly harmonised add9 chord shapes from the key of Bb minor, moving through the I-IV-III-bII of the key, or in other words: Bbminadd9 - Ebminadd9 - Dbmajadd9 - Bmajadd9 # 11. There's also a drone note happening on the F string throughout most of the changes, which helps it flow well, and ties all the chord changes together nicely.
The first 3 chords are just from the key of Bb minor, but the fourth chord is borrowed from the parallel Phrygian mode through modal interchange. This is an approach where you can borrow chords from modes that start with the same root, in this case the note Bb. So you could borrow chords from Bb Ionian (major), or Bb Lydian, or Bb Mixolydian, or Bb Locrian or dozens of other modes and use them with chords from Bb Aeolian (minor). This still keeps an overall key centre which provides stability and structure, but also opens up WAY more chord options to try for your progressions.
The second section modulates to the parallel major, Bb major, and then the chords come from that key for two changes, then back to borrowing from Bb minor for the last two changes in the turnaround. The scale degrees they're happening on are I-IV-bVI-V, and the chords are Bbmajadd9 - Ab6/9 (but I feel this more as like Eb sus practically, Ebsus4add2/Ab basically) - Gbmaj7 # 11 - Fsus4 - Fmajadd4. Okay and the name on that last chord I don't know if it's perfectly right but it does the job. 😜🤘🏻
I teach guitar and music! No matter what's holding back your playing I'll help you get through it and start making some progress again. Or if you just want to learn some cool new things and get inspired we can do that too. I teach all skill levels including total beginners. Drop me a message to book a lesson. 😎🎸
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From Jeff: My buddy Ori teaches guitar virtually! You should study with them! : D 🎸
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modalinterchange modes