BookatlasPiano Rabbit Hole: Improvisation Theory & Practice
1119 / 18210 · Module 22 — Chord Substitution: Different Chords, Same Job← prev⊞ allnext →

22.34Common tones make remote chords sound less remote

This is an important arranging principle.

Suppose two chord roots are theoretically far apart.

If:

  • melody stays the same
  • one or two inner voices stay
  • other voices move by semitone

the ear may accept the change easily.

Voice leading can override apparent root-distance complexity.