Substitute Dominants
How many times have you played the same chord changes, chorus after chorus of Autumn Leaves or Blue Bossa or All the Things You Are or any tune? Wouldn't it be nice to throw in a few new chords here and there so that each chorus would be a little different? Jazz musicians do this all the time and the number one reharmonization device that they employ for this purpose is the technique of tritone substitution- subVs ("sub fives") or substitute dominants for short. The use of substitute dominant chords to reharmonize tunes is a tried and true technique to freshen and revitalize chord progressions on the spot. Watch this lesson to learn what substitute dominants are, how they compare to primary dominants and how and when to use this essential device in tunes.

Lesson Stats
When added: 03/23/08; Duration: 16 minutes.

Prerequisites
Moderate keyboard proficiency. Ability to read notation. These lessons are good prerequisites: The 5 Essential 7th Chords, The Major ii-V-I Progression, The Minor ii-V-i Progression, The Four Components of Melodic Construction and Diatonic Tendency Tones.

Quiz
Quiz 1: practice finding and identifying substitute dominants

Practice Sessions & Playalongs
Practice Session 1: Write out and play substitute dominants over a series of ii-V-I progressions.
Practice Session 2: Improvise substitute dominants over a series of ii-V-I progressions.

Includes play-alongs for all practice sessions in MIDI, Band-in-a-Box™ and GarageBand formats.

Resources for further Listening and Reading
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