FREE ONLINE LESSONS (Reharmonising Minor Chords)

Generally, all minor chords can be reharmonized to their respective minor 7th chords. This creates a gentler, muffled version of the minor chord. There are a few limitations you should be aware of.

(1) The minor 7th chord should not be used when the melody clashes with the 7th note. This usually takes the form of an awkward interval, like when the 7th note and the melody are a semitone apart.

(2) If a minor chord is the I Chord (i.e. tonic chord) in the tune, the minor chord usually cannot be played as a minor 7th chord, except if it is a V chord in a V - I progression.

Ex. 1 Excerpt from "Love Story"

"Love Story " starts with Am and ends with Am so the song is obviously in the Am key. Therefore Am chords found in the song will usually NOT be played as Am7. However, there is an Am in the chorus which happens to be the V chord in a V - I progression. Therefore, it is possible to use Am7 there.


Ex. 2 Excerpt from "Love Story" chorus

(3) When a minor chord can be played as a minor 7th chord, sometimes we will insert a minor-major chord in between to act as a passing chord. This adds an interesting sound to the progression but it is optional (Note: use sparingly)

Ex. 3 Excerpt from "Emmanuelle"

Ex. 4 Excerpt from "We Are The Reason" chorus

Ex. 5 Excerpt from George Benson's "This Masquerade"