5 Easy Ukulele Chord Substitution Tricks

Create amazing chord progressions...

Just follow these simple rules.

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Find all my chord related posts here: Chord Tips and Tricks

Here are some easy chord substitution tricks and links to related blog posts so you learn more about all of them...

Watch:

Do me a favor and 'like' the video on YouTube and post a comment (on YouTube) to let me know what you think - thanks!

Learn more...

Here's some notes on the different progressions in the video and links to more info...

When ever you substitute chords make sure the different notes don't clash with the vocal lines.

1. Family sub (iii) for the I

We follow the rule 'one equals three equals six' here. more in my chord families post on this. Em is the secondary relative minor of C.

1b. Family Sub (ii) for the IV 

We follow the rule 'two equals four' here. more in my chord families post on this. Dm is the relative minor of F.

We now have a 'backcycle' here or a 'circle progression' meaning it moves backwards around the circle of 5th's.

I stick with the Dm from here forward (unless it's subbed). So the IV is now a ii.

2. Quality change for the vi  

Rule: Any chord may be a dominant - this is a simple quality change; we can actually change the quality of any chord to a dominant. The C# leads better to the Dm, and the A7 is the secondary dominant of Dm.

I stick with the A7 from here forward (unless it's subbed).

2b. Quality change for the ii

Same rule as (2): Any chord may be a dominant - another simple quality change. The D7 is the secondary dominant of G7.

3 & 3b. Tritone subs for the V and VI

Tritone subs have a different flavor than other subs - They can be used for any chord - see my related post.

4. biii for or the vi

This is a wild one - we may sub a biii  diminished for the vi chord.

5. iv7 - bVII7 for the ii7 - V7;  it's a 'backdoor progression'

The bVII7 is the 'backdoor' to the I chord. 

In the 'backdoor progression' we substitute two chords, a iv7 - bVII7 (both 'borrowed chords from the parallel minor) is substituted for the original ii - V in a ii  - V - I progression. The iv7 is the ii chord of the bVII7. 

You might say we've subbed a different ii - V for the original ii - V...

You can just sub the bVII (or bVII7) for the V chord in any progression if you like - That'd be a parallel minor sub; or you can slip them both in to any progression (the iv7 - bVII7) just before the I chord.

5b. #11 for the bVII7

A bVII7 with a #11 is often used for the 'backdoor progression' because it #11 is the 3rd of the tonic...

Now what?

You can mix and match these!

You can take any I sub, any VI sub, any IV sub and any V sub and mix and match them to create your own progression.

Now: Take this all to the next level check out these posts on chord substitution.

Chord substitution stuff:

Spice Up Your Ukulele Chord Progressions with Secondary Dominants

Chord Substitution Tricks: Chord Families - How to substitute any chord for a completely different one

Chord Substitution Tricks: How to use the Tritone Substitute - Super easy and they sound amazing!

The Beatles used this 'Borrowed Chord' in 47 Songs - How to 'Borrow Chords' from a Parallel Minor

Chord Substitution Tricks: Any Chord can be a Dominant

Have fun!

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