Diatonic Seventh Chord Substitutions for the Dominant Chord In C Major

Dominant seventh chords have a strong tendency toward a resolution in the tonic chord. Diatonic chords that have root notes that spell the dominant seventh chord share this tendency. The notes of the G7 chord are GBDF and are the fifth, seventh, second and fourth notes of the C major scale respectively. Diatonic seventh chords built on each of these notes can be used as substitutions for the dominant chord.

All four chords contain one or both notes of the tri-tone. The IV chord Fmaj7 and the II chord Dmin7 do not have the leading tone and do not have as strong a tendency for resolution as the V chord G7 and the VII chord Bmin7b5.

II-V Chord Progression Guitar Chords and Arpeggios

The most common substitution for the V chord is the II chord. For this reason the concept of using diatonic substitutions is usually referred to as a II-V Chord Progression, however any diatonic substitution can be used. The concept of using diatonic substitutions or "II-V's" allows great freedom for re harmonizing diatonic chord progressions, and improvising melodies and chords that use chord substitutions not in the original progression. Dominant substitution chords can be played in any order and with any chord tone in the bass.

II-V Chord Substitutions in C Major

Remember, the goal is memorization. Not only will your fingers memorize the positions of the Dominant Seventh Chords and Arpeggios, your ears will also memorize the sounds on the guitar called Ear Training, so make sure your guitar is in tune. You can tune your guitar by ear to the midi player by clicking the tune logo or tune by eye using an electronic guitar tuner. It is recommended that you learn both methods.