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Secondary Dominant Chords
By Dan Rivers - 09/10/2011 - 02:59 PM EDT
Chords built on the second note of the scale, the third note of the scale and the sixth note are normally minor. They contain only diatonic notes. Notes that are all in the scale of whatever Key we are in.
If they are major they produce a very striking sound. That’s because they will contain notes out of the key. So listen to the different sound the II III and VI chord make when they are major instead of minor.
Key C: II D7 normally d minor
III E7 normally e minor
VI A7 normally minor
To resolve this new Dominant sound you need a Target chord to immediately follow it. A chord a fourth above it. Just go up 4 notes in the scale from the shocking chord you just played. Just continue this process until you get to a diatonic chord in your original key.
D7 go up a fourth---G7--C- . (G7 is the V7 of C). Your back home
E7 go up a fourth---Am or A7--- D7 – G7 -C Your back home
A7 go up a fourth---Dm- or D 7-G7-C -- Your back home
Key G: ll III and VI Major
A7 B7 E7
A7 go up a fourth---D7--G-
B7 go up a fourth---Em or E7--- A7 – D7 -G
E7 go up a fourth--- Am or A7- D7--G
Exercise: Key C Fill in the blank with a diatonic chord a fourth above the previous chord.
C D7 ____ C
C A7 ____ G C
C E7 ___ C
Why do we use these Secondary dominant chords? For one thing they are surprise chords and will hold an audience . They also draw attention to a lyric line . Try using it right before the hook. They don’t call them money chords for nothing.
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