chord substitutions for bass

[Lungimsam]

Learning some chordal theory. Not getting the why and how of chord substitutions.

 

Why do they use chord subs, and can anyone give me a simple explanation of how to do it?

[Malchik]

Learning some chordal theory. Not getting the why and how of chord substitutions.

 

Why do they use chord subs, and can anyone give me a simple explanation of how to do it?

It just adds variety.

[pfox14]

Chord subs can add a lot more flavor to an arrangement especially in jazz.

[martinh]

Substitute/extended chords are particularly useful if you're working with another guitarist who's already playing the basic chords to a song. If he/she's playing a D chord, there's only so many ways you can voice another straight D chord to avoid just doubling his/her part. Playing extended chords with a different root, differentiates your line, and adds some harmonic complexity.

 

By example, a D6 played in the shape of a Bm7 at the 7th fret (B, F#, A, D, F#, B ) played over an open D (D, A, D, F#) sounds more interesting than just doubling the D.

[Lungimsam]

So, the substituted chord is nothing more than an inversion of the original chord? And because the root is different than the original chord, it has another chords name? Am I understanding this correctly?

[stein]

So, the substituted chord is nothing more than an inversion of the original chord? And because the root is different than the original chord, it has another chords name? Am I understanding this correctly?

Yup. Exactly.

 

The idea is that a chord does not always HAVE to have the root as it's lowest note, or most prominent note.

 

So, you could either choose to rename the chord as a different chord considering it's new 'root', or choose to consider the chord an 'inversion'.