When you play the piano, you often want to create smooth and interesting transitions between chords. One effective way to do this is by using passing chords. Passing chords add color and movement to your music, making it more engaging for the listener. In this article, we will explore what passing chords are, how to use them, and their role in different musical styles. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced pianist, understanding passing chords can enhance your playing.
What Are Chords?
Before we dive into passing chords, let’s briefly review what chords are. A chord is a group of notes played together. The most common type of chord is a triad, which consists of three notes. For example, a C major chord includes the notes C, E, and G. Chords are the building blocks of music, providing harmony and structure.
What Are Passing Chords?
Passing chords are chords that connect two main chords in a progression. They serve as a bridge, creating a smoother transition from one chord to another. Passing chords can add richness and complexity to your music, making it more interesting.
Imagine you are playing a simple chord progression like C to G. If you want to make this transition smoother, you can add a passing chord between them. For example, you could play Am (A minor) as a passing chord. The progression would then look like this: C → Am → G. The Am chord helps to connect C and G, making the overall sound more fluid.
Types of Passing Chords
There are several types of passing chords you can use in your piano playing. Here are some of the most common ones:
1. Diatonic Passing Chords
Diatonic passing chords are chords that belong to the key you are playing in. For example, if you are in the key of C major, the diatonic chords are C, Dm, Em, F, G, Am, and Bdim.
When you move from one diatonic chord to another, you can insert a diatonic passing chord. For example, if you go from C to Dm, you can add an Em chord in between: C → Em → Dm. This creates a smooth transition because all the chords are from the same key.
2. Chromatic Passing Chords
Chromatic passing chords are chords that do not belong to the key you are playing in. These chords add tension and color to your music. They often move by half steps (semitones).
For example, if you are playing a C major chord and want to move to a D major chord, you could use a C# diminished chord as a chromatic passing chord. The progression would be C → C#dim → D. The C#dim chord creates a sense of movement and anticipation before resolving to the D major chord.
3. Secondary Dominants
A secondary dominant is a chord that functions as the dominant (V) of a chord other than the tonic (I). This means it creates tension that resolves to a different chord in the progression.
For example, in the key of C major, the dominant chord of Dm (the ii chord) is A7. You can use A7 as a passing chord to lead into Dm: C → A7 → Dm. This creates a strong resolution because the A7 chord naturally wants to resolve to Dm.
4. Altered Chords
Altered chords are chords that have been modified to include additional notes or changes to the original chord. These chords can add a unique flavor to your music.
For instance, if you are moving from G7 to C, you might use a G7#5 (G7 with a sharp fifth) as a passing chord. The progression would be G7 → G7#5 → C. The altered chord adds tension and makes the transition more interesting.
How to Use Passing Chords
Now that you understand what passing chords are and the different types, let’s discuss how to use them effectively in your playing.
1. Listen and Analyze
One of the best ways to learn about passing chords is to listen to music. Pay attention to how musicians use passing chords in their progressions. Try to identify the passing chords and see how they connect the main chords.
Many genres of music, such as jazz, pop, and classical, use passing chords. Listening to songs in these styles can give you a better understanding of how to incorporate passing chords into your own playing.
2. Experiment with Progressions
Once you have an idea of how passing chords work, start experimenting with your chord progressions. Take a simple progression, like C → F → G, and try adding passing chords.
For example, you could insert a Dm between C and F: C → Dm → F. Or you might try adding an E7 between F and G: F → E7 → G. Experimenting with different passing chords can help you discover new sounds and textures in your music.
3. Practice Common Progressions
Certain chord progressions are commonly used in many songs. Practicing these progressions with passing chords can help you become more comfortable with their use. Here are a few examples:
I – vi – ii – V: In the key of C, this progression would be C – Am – Dm – G. You can add a passing chord like Bdim between Am and Dm: C – Am – Bdim – Dm – G.
I – IV – V: In the key of C, this would be C – F – G. You might add a passing chord like Dm between C and F: C – Dm – F – G.
ii – V – I: In the key of C, this would be Dm – G – C. You can add a passing chord like A7 before Dm: A7 – Dm – G – C.
4. Use Passing Chords in Melodies
Passing chords can also enhance your melodies. If you are playing a melody that moves between two notes, consider adding a passing chord to connect them. For instance, if your melody moves from C to E, you could use a Dm chord as a passing chord: C (melody note) – Dm (passing chord) – E (melody note). This adds harmonic support to your melody and makes it sound more complete.
5. Incorporate Passing Chords in Improvisation
If you enjoy improvising on the piano, passing chords can add depth to your playing. When improvising over a chord progression, try incorporating passing chords to create smoother transitions. This can help your improvisation sound more fluid and interesting.
Examples of Passing Chords in Popular Songs
Many popular songs use passing chords to create smooth transitions. Here are a few examples:
1. “Let It Be” by The Beatles
In this classic song, the chord progression includes several passing chords. The transition from C to Am is often accompanied by a passing chord like Dm, creating a smooth movement.
2. “Someone Like You” by Adele
Adele’s hit features a beautiful chord progression that utilizes passing chords. The movement between chords is enhanced by adding passing chords like Bm and F#7, creating a rich harmonic texture.
3. “All of Me” by John Legend
This romantic ballad includes several passing chords that help connect the main chords. The use of passing chords like A7 and Dm adds emotional depth to the progression.
The Role of Passing Chords in Different Genres
Passing chords are not limited to one style of music; they can be found in various genres. Here’s how passing chords are used in different musical styles:
1. Jazz
In jazz, passing chords are essential for creating smooth transitions and adding complexity to progressions. Jazz musicians often use chromatic passing chords and altered chords to enhance their improvisation. The use of passing chords allows for greater harmonic exploration and creativity.
2. Classical
Classical composers frequently employed passing chords to create smooth voice leading and rich harmonic textures. They often used diatonic passing chords and secondary dominants to enhance their compositions. Many classical pieces feature intricate chord progressions that rely on passing chords for fluidity.
3. Pop and Rock
In pop and rock music, passing chords are used to create catchy and memorable progressions. Many popular songs incorporate passing chords to add interest and movement. The use of passing chords helps maintain the listener’s attention and keeps the music engaging.
4. Blues
In blues music, passing chords often appear in the form of dominant seventh chords. These chords create tension and anticipation, leading to a resolution. Blues musicians frequently use passing chords to add flavor to their progressions and enhance their improvisation.
Conclusion
Passing chords are a powerful tool for any pianist looking to enhance their playing. They create smooth transitions between chords, add richness to progressions, and can transform simple melodies into more complex and engaging pieces. By understanding the different types of passing chords and how to use them effectively, you can elevate your piano playing to new heights.
Whether you are playing jazz, classical, pop, or rock, passing chords can add depth and interest to your music. So, take the time to experiment with passing chords in your progressions, listen to songs that use them, and practice incorporating them into your playing. With a little creativity and exploration, you will discover the beauty and versatility of passing chords in piano music.
