Chord Borrowing in Music: A Creative Twist
Passing Chords: A Brief Interlude
A passing chord is a momentary deviation from the established key of a piece of music. It serves as a bridge or a transition between chords, adding intrigue and depth to the progression.
Borrowed Chords: A Journey Beyond
Parallel Key Exchange
Borrowed chords are chords that are borrowed from a key or harmonized scale parallel to the piece's original key. This technique allows composers to explore new harmonic possibilities while maintaining a sense of coherence.
Fresh Perspectives
Using borrowed chords can inspire innovative chord progressions and melodic ideas. By temporarily suspending the traditional harmonic limitations, composers gain access to a wider sonic palette.
Common Borrowed Chords
Commonly borrowed chords include:
- Borrowing from the parallel minor or major key (e.g., in A minor, borrowing a D major chord from A major)
- Borrowing from the subdominant or dominant parallel key (e.g., in C major, borrowing an F major chord from F major or a G major chord from G major)
Treating Borrowed Chords
When using borrowed chords, composers should consider the following:
- Preserve the overall tonal center of the piece.
- Use borrowed chords sparingly to avoid disrupting the flow.
- Resolve the borrowed chord back to a chord within the original key.
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