Diatonic neighbor chords can add a touch of harmonic intrigue to your music. These chords are borrowed from the same diatonic scale as the main chord, but they sit a half step above or below it, creating a brief moment of tension before resolving back to the main chord. But how do you transition between them smoothly?
The 7 Diatonic Triads are:
- C Major (C): C – E – G.
- D Minor (Dm): D – F – A.
- E Minor (Em): E – G – B.
- F Major (F): F – A – C.
- G Major (G): G – B – D.
- A Minor (Em): A – C – E.
- B Diminished (Bdim or B°): B – D – F.
This ebook is a quick guide to transitioning between diatonic neighbor chords in a major key. It includes 8 pages of easy to read guitar tabs. Perfect for a beginner guitar player to learn the transitions and develop their skills.
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How to Transition Between Diatonic Neighbor Chords
Here are some techniques to achieve seamless movement:
1. Voice Leading:
Voice leading is the art of moving each individual note in a chord smoothly to its destination in the next chord. When transitioning between diatonic neighbor chords, focus on keeping most voices moving by step, either up or down. This creates a natural and connected feel. For example, if you’re moving from a C major chord (C-E-G) to its upper neighbor (D minor: D-F-A), keep the C and G in place while moving the E up one step to F.
2. Common Tones:
Look for common tones between the diatonic neighbor chord and the main chord. These are notes that appear in both chords. By holding these common tones steady, you create a sense of stability during the transition. In the C major to D minor example, the C remains constant, acting as a bridge between the two chords.
3. Chromatic Passing Tones:
Chromatic passing tones can add a touch of melodic interest during the transition. These are notes that are not part of either chord but briefly pass through on their way to a note in the next chord. For instance, when moving from C major to D minor, you could add a B natural (between C and A) to create a smoother resolution to A in the D minor chord.
4. Arpeggios and Broken Chords:
Instead of abruptly jumping between chords, consider using arpeggios or broken chords to connect them. By playing the notes of each chord in sequence, you create a smoother harmonic flow. This technique works particularly well when using a shared tone as an anchor point.
5. Harmonic Rhythm:
The speed at which you change chords plays a role in the transition. A faster harmonic rhythm (more frequent chord changes) can create a sense of urgency or tension, while a slower harmonic rhythm allows the neighbor chord to linger and create a more suspenseful feeling before resolving back to the main chord.
Experiment and Explore:
The beauty of music lies in its ability to evoke emotion. Experiment with different techniques and find what works best for your musical style. By understanding the theory behind diatonic neighbor chords and practicing these transition techniques, you can add a new layer of sophistication and expressiveness to your compositions and improvisations.
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