Lesson 5

If you were playing a song in the key of D major, the 1 chord would be the D major. The D7th chord would be the 1-7th chord.

The 1-7th chord is commonly used as a substitute for the 1 chord to add color or to enhance an accompaniment. Look at "Irene Goodnight".

Listen for the sound of the 1-7th chord line two "Goodnight I - rene ".

The flatted 7th chord creates a musical tension in the accompaniment that enhances the melody. The melody of the song does not require the chord. It sounds just fine without it. The I-7th acts as a passing chord, passing from the I to the IV chord.

Irene Goodnight is still a three-chord song. Later on, we will add even more chords to enhance this melody. Even so, it will remain a three-chord song. Adding or substituting passing chords, is known as song arranging or putting together an arrangement.

Often times you will notice in songbooks that the arrangement contains many more than just the basic I, IV and V-7th chords. It will seem that you will be required to play a new chord on every other word.

Do not become discouraged. More often than not, these additional chords are not required by the melody at all,

but have been included in the arrangement to enhance it. Much of the music in songbooks is actually arranged for piano. That is the reason there are so many substitute and passing chords added to enhance the melody.

You will soon be able to hear a basic melody and know which chords are required and which ones were added as passing chords to enhance.