Borrowing Chords From A Parallel Key

So far we’ve limited ourselves to choosing chords diatonic to a key.  However, when we want a more sophisticated sound, we can borrow chords from a key’s parallel minor or major.  For instance, if we are in the key of A major, all the chords of the A minor key would also be available to us.  If we were in the key of G minor, all the chords of G major would be available from which to choose.

Exercise 1

Popular examples

Analyze and circle the borrowed chord.

“No Surprises”  by Radiohead

F       Bbm

“I Will Follow You Into The Dark” Chorus (Song is in C major)

/ Am – – – / C – – – / F – – – / C – C/B – /

/ Am – – – / C – – – / G – – – / – – – – /

/ Am – – – / C – – – / E – – – / Am – Am/G – /

/ F – – – / Fm – – – / C – – – / – – – – /

“You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away”  by The Beatles

IG——|D——|F——IG——IC——|———|F——IC——|

Exercise 2

Pick a key center and write out the chords diatonic to both the major and minor key.

        I II- III- IV        V   VI-     VIIdim

_______ Major

        I- IIdim     bIII       IV- V-        (V7) bVI         bVII

_______Minor

Compose an original song or chord progression using the chords listed above.