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Diatonic Substitutions, Part 1
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Vince Lauria | Free Music Theory Instruction
In film and television he has composed and performed the Clio Award-
winning melody for the “Made In The Shade” jeans commercial working
with Len Kovner at Davlen Sound Studios (1978-1982). He recently scored
music for director and producer Don Barnhart (Saved by the Bell, Benson)
on a TV pilot starring Daniel Baldwin and Terasa Livingstone. Vince Lauria
is Winner of the Gold Medal for Best Impact of Music in a Documentary
(Audience Favorite) at the 2008 Park City Film Music Festival (PCFMF)
for the feature-length documentary, Man of a Thousand Faces, executive
produced by actor James Hong (Chinatown, Blade Runner). Vince Lauria
also won the Director’s Choice Gold Medal for Excellence at the 2009
Park City Film Music Festival (PCFMF) for his original score of the awards-
winning feature documentary, Pigweed Philosopher: The Untethered Zen of
Kimball Johnson, directed by documentary filmmaker Gabriel Lakey. He is
currently working on the independent feature musical, Nowhere Fast: The
Forgotten Story of Approach Control, directed by Ryan Williams (Abby
Singer).
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Vince Lauria | Free Music Theory Instruction
Diatonic Substitutions, Part 1
Using the C major scale (Major Key Substitutions) lets look at the most common diatonic (within the
scale) substitutions.
The Tonic or I chord (C major chord) can be replaced with the iii, Em or Em7 or the vi, Am or Am7.
The Subdominant or IV chord or F major can be replaced with the ii, or vi chords i.e. Dm, Dm7 or Am,
Am7. Also Dm or Am with F major.
The Dominant or V7 (G7) or V (G) chord can be replaced with the Diminished chord viio -
B diminished or B minor seventh flat fifth.
Also Bo, Bm7b5 can replace the G or G7.
Using the A minor scale (Minor Key Substitutions) lets look at the most common
diatonic (within the scale) substitutions. A minor is the Relative Minor also called
the Aeolian mode.
The Im (minor seventh) replaced with the (b III) Major or Major Seventh
Original progression: Am7//// Dm7 //// Em7 //// Am7 ////
Substitution progression: Cmaj7 //// Dm7 //// Em7 //// Am7 ////
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Las Vegas, Nevada
All materials (c) 2010. For personal use only. Vince Lauria & Sun and Earth Music. www.vincelauria.com
Intermediate Lesson
Vince Lauria | Free Music Theory Instruction
The IVm (minor seventh) replaced with the (Viio) Diminished or Minor Seventh Flat Fifth
or the (bVI) F major or F Major Seventh
Original progression: Dm7//// Em7 //// Am7 ////
Substitution progression: Bo //// Em7 //// Am7 ////
or Bm7b5 //// Em7 //// Am7 //// or
Fmaj7 //// Em7 //// Am7 ////
The Vm (minor seventh) replaced with the Dominant Seventh or Diminished or Diminished Seventh
Original progression: Dm7//// Em7 //// Am7 ////
Substitution progression: Dm7 //// E7 //// Am7 ////
Vince Lauria
All materials (c) 2010. For personal use only. Vince Lauria & Sun and Earth Music. www.vincelauria.com
Intermediate Lesson
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