In Part 1 I explained that a more soulful sound can be achieved by borrowing chords. I discussed switching from Minor to Major and vice versa.
Hoopefully you have experimented on various combinations. Some sound better than others, but it’s the trail and error part which is important.
Using a 2-5-1 progression
We can actually use some basic theory to identify which chords sound best when swapped out. One of the easiest one progressions would be the 2-5-1. If you are not familiar with how the progression works, please refere to the below for a quick summary.
Key of C Major
| Chord Number | Chord Name |
| 1 | C Major |
| 2 | D minor |
| 3 | E minor |
| 4 | F Major |
| 5 | G dominant / Seventh |
| 6 | A Minor |
| 7 | B Diminished |
By observing the chord numbers 2, 5 and 1, we find D minor, G Dominant and C Major. This is called the 2-5-1 progressions and is commonly used in many genres of music from Jazz to pop. We start with a minor, add more tension with the dominant and the resolve with the major.
Although this is correct theory wise. It is not exactly the R&B sound you may be looking for. So what we can do is borrow a chord by swapping the no. 1 Major for a minor. and we end up with the below progression. Dmin, G7, Cmin
Again I am using 7ths for more depth. Try playing these chords and listen to the differnce. The C minor has two black keys so it is outside the scale however can work in this particular progression.
Try experimenting with some other scales