How to Use Passing Chords To Sound Better

Ever wonder how piano players make simple chord progressions sound so captivating? Chances are, they’re using a little trick called passing chords. With passing chords, you can take a basic progression—think C, Am, F, G—and transform it into something truly rich and expressive.

In this lesson, we’ll cover the four main types of passing chords and show you how to incorporate them into your playing to add color, emotion, and a touch of jazz. Let’s dive in!

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1. The Leading Tone Passing Chord

A leading tone is a note that creates a sense of anticipation, making your ear yearn for the next chord. Imagine you’re moving from a C chord to an F chord. You can use a leading tone, like an E in your left hand, to create that feeling of “almost there!” before finally resolving to F.

Here’s how to do it:

• Start with your C chord.
• Use the E as a passing tone, creating a smooth transition into the F chord. The effect is subtle but powerful—it makes your progressions flow effortlessly.

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2. Diminished Passing Chords

Diminished chords add a touch of tension, making the resolution even more satisfying. Let’s say you’re moving from G to A minor. Adding a G# diminished chord in between creates a lovely “crunch” that resolves beautifully.

To try this:

• Play a G chord, then move your thumb up by one semitone to hit G# diminished.
• Finally, resolve to A minor. You’ll feel the tension ease in such a satisfying way!

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3. Secondary Dominants

One of the most powerful tools in jazz and pop music, secondary dominants take you momentarily outside the key, adding depth to your sound. Imagine you’re going from C to A minor. The “fifth” of A minor is E, so you’d play an E7 as a passing chord to make your way to A minor.

Give it a try:

• From your C chord, play E7 to add a bit of suspense.
• Then land on A minor for a smooth, sophisticated feel. Secondary dominants are a classic way to enrich simple progressions.

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4. The 2-5-1 Progression

The 2-5-1 progression is a classic way to make transitions feel smooth and add a touch of jazz to your playing. This progression uses the second and fifth chords of your target chord to create a natural lead-in.

Let’s say you’re moving to F. In the key of F, the 2-5-1 would be G minor (2), C7 (5), and then F (1). Here’s how it works:

• Play Gm7, then C7 right before your F chord.
• This creates a beautiful, satisfying transition that feels seamless.

The 2-5-1 progression works well in jazz, pop, and other genres, adding depth to simple progressions. Try adding it when you want a smooth, expressive lead-in to any target chord!

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5. The Tritone Substitution

Want to sound like a jazz pro? The tritone substitution might be your new best friend. If you’re moving to a C chord, play a dominant chord one semitone above your target note (in this case, C#7) before resolving. This chord creates an intriguing pull toward your target note, adding an unexpected layer to your music.

Here’s the breakdown:

• Identify your target chord.
• Go one semitone up and play a dominant chord (e.g., if you’re aiming for C, play C#7).
• Resolve to the target chord and hear how beautifully it leads in.

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Try It Out!

Each of these passing chords has a distinct feel and brings its own color to your music. Practice using them in your favorite chord progressions and experiment with different genres. With passing chords, you’ll find it easy to elevate your sound and add personality to every piece.

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Happy playing, and don’t forget to let us know which passing chord is your favorite!

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