Gospel School: Neighbor Chords: Major Triad Pattern #2

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Neighbor Chords are a great way to expand and embellish a single chord that is played for an extended length of time…

A commonly-used gospel device is to embellish each of the big three chords (I, IV, and V) with “the ii” of the prevailing chord as follows…

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Study-Practice Notes:

  • Don’t forget to swing the eighth notes!
  • Notice that the notes on the weak and back beats in the left hand are “ghosted”, more felt than heard.
  • Use your knowledge of chord theory to work this pattern our for all major triads.
  • This device almost always works for the big three chords in a major key (I, IV, and V) and sometimes as an embellishment of Secondary Dominants as well.

learn more… Gospel School: Neighbor Chord Major Triad Melody