Borrowed Chords

Lee Barry

The term "borrowed" refers to a type of alternate harmonization of a given melody by using
chords from another mode. This technique can be used to create contrast and interest by
expanding the universe of available chords beyond those that occur in purely diatonic or
modal schemes; and to set up modulations to other keys, much the same as secondary
dominants are used.

The most logical mode from which to borrow is the minor mode, e.g. C minor in the key of C
major, or vice versa. But it is also possible to borrow chords from the key of the dominant
(G in C major) and from the subdominant (F in C major). Of course, with an open
philosophy about the rules of music theory, one could conceivably borrow from any mode
sharing the same tonic note. In C major, we could borrow from C dorian, C phrygian, C
lydian, C mixolydian, C aeolian and C locrian. But the primary purpose of borrowing is to
change the chord quality to something it is not in the home key.

Borrowing from the minor mode, when originally in the major mode, the IV chord becomes
minor, the ii chord becomes diminished, and the V chord is minor.
When chords are borrowed, the object is to smoothly return to the home key, otherwise it
results in modulation.

The most successful substitutions are those that assume a different chord quality and note
name, but still function the same in the progression:

B7 in the key of C: V of iii (modulation to E major or minor)

E7 in the key of C: V of vi (modulation to A major or minor)
A7 in the key of C: V of ii (modulation to major or minor)
Bb in the key of C: Borrowed VII from C minor
Ab in the key of C: Borrowed VI from C minor

The most successful substitutions are those that take on a different chord quality and note
name, but still function the same in the progression.

C Major C Minor Function

Dmin7 Dmin7(b5) Subdominant
Emin7 Eb Tonic

Another interesting use of the borrowed system is to introduce a borrowed chord at the
beginning of a section of a song (B section, bridge) and modulate to that key:

A: A Minor
A: A Minor
Chorus: C
A: A minor (or D minor)
B: Eb (Turnaround: F - G)
A: A Minor