Chords are the foundation of a song. You can fake and find a melody, but chords need to be understood. Studying chords, chord progressions and chord extensions add color to a song. This does not apply to most of the 50’s and rock music, and some country songs. It is very effective with Ballads, Jazz, Swing, Latin, and more.

Rock improvising is mostly based on scales. All other improvising is based on scales and chords. All that I am saying is NOT gospel, only my opinion.

Idea #1: Scales are numbered 1 to 8 --
I II III IV V VI VII VIII

I is C -- II is D -- III is E – right up to VIII which is C again.
The strongest movement/progression in music is V to I G to C, it becomes stronger when you use a V7 G7 instead if V G chord. The 7th is a chord that wants to move, you can feel it. Try ending a song on a G7 chord.

A substitution for a V7 chord is IIn7 V7 – Dm7 G7, both leading to the C chord.

That’s a lot of stuff, but I need it to go to the next step. What you have to do is substitute Dm7 G7 for a G7 chord. IIm7 G7. Instead of playing G7 for 4 beats, you play 2 beats of Dm7, and 2 beats of G7. Playing the two chords give you movement. Repeat this whenever you see a 7th chord.

Example: For C7 play Gm7 C7 --- for F7 play Cm7 F7.
I have made this as simple as can so all will understand –
the next post will be short. Please questions.

John C.