Aborrowed chord (also calledmode mixture,[1]modal mixture,[2]substituted chord,[3]modal interchange,[1] ormutation[4]) is achord borrowed from theparallel key (minor ormajor scale with the sametonic). Borrowed chords are typically used as "color chords", providing harmonic variety through contrasting scale forms, which are major scales and the three forms of minor scales.[2] Chords may also be borrowed from other parallelmodes besides the major and minor mode, for example DDorian with D major.[1] The mixing of the major and minor modes developed in theBaroque period.[5]
Borrowed chords are distinguished frommodulation by being brief enough that the tonic is not lost or displaced, and may be considered brief or transitory modulations[3] and may be distinguished fromsecondary chords[6] as well asaltered chords.[1] According to Sheila Romeo, "[t]he borrowed chord suggests the sound of its own mode without actually switching to that mode."[1]
Sheila Romeo explains that "[i]n theory, any chord from any mode of the scale of the piece is a potential modal interchange or borrowed chord. Some are used more frequently than others, while some almost never occur."[1]
In the minor mode, a common borrowed chord from the parallel major key is thePicardy third.
In the major mode, the most common examples of borrowed chords are those involving the♭, also known as the lowered sixthscale degree. These chords are shown below, in the key of C major.[8]
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The next most common involve the♭ and♭
. These chords are shown below.[9]
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Chord progressions may be constructed with borrowed chords, including two progressions common inrock music, I–♭VII–♭VI–♭VII, common everywhere, and I–♭VI–IV (Playⓘ), used by bands likeGenesis,Yes, andNirvana.[1]♭VII is fromMixolydian and♭VI is found in bothAeolian andPhrygian.[1] The♭VII–Icadence with♭VII substituting for V is common, as well as♭II–I,♭III–I, and♭VI–I.[11] Inpopular music, themajor triads on the lowered third (♭III), sixth (♭VI) and seventh (♭VII)scale degrees are common.
Borrowed chords have typicalinversions or common positions, for example iio6 and iiø6
5, and progress in the same manner as the diatonic chords they replace except for♭VI, which progresses to V(7).[2]