16 Progressions Down a Fifth—Building Up TBk2

Do you feel that worship choruses often sound bland harmonically?  Progressions down a fifth can create not only harmonic interest but harmonic strength. They have a strong, forward movement.  Progressions down a fifth are often launched with a iii or vi chord.  For example, iii – vi – ii – V – I.  Learn how to do it.

Extensions (9ths, 13ths, etc) can be added to the basic chords giving them nuanced color. Introducing chord substitutions, such as the use of half-diminished chords, into the sequence can also have a dramatic effect. This chapter provides over fifty illustrations and exercises to help you integrate the concepts into your style of playing while using hymns and worship choruses.

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Updated 2.2014.  24 pages, 54 examples.

10 KImprovBk1 – Sus Chords I

Sus chords (eg., from bottom to top, C – F -G) omit the third of the chord and substitute a fourth.  They  have a broad application to both contemporary and traditional worship styles. They provide a colorful alternative to the standard dominant seventh which occurs frequently in hymn and chorus cadences. They are valuable in creating segues and in effecting modulations in the free-flowing praise format. They are eminently playable on both guitars and keyboards. We’ll look at how the sus4, sus7, and sus9 chords function.