Modal Interchange Chord Matrix - Minor Key

by Mazel Musical Arts

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A tool for exploring modal interchange chords across all 12 minor keys. Use the slider or click the buttons to change keys.

Current Key: C Minor
C D E F G A B

Note: For minor keys, we use Natural Minor (Aeolian) as our starting point. Modal interchange involves borrowing chords from parallel modes relative to this starting point.

Home Key: C Minor

Native chords: Cm (i), Ddim (ii°), E♭ (III), Fm (iv), Gm (v), A♭ (VI), B♭ (VII)

Borrowed Chords from Parallel Modes

Mode i ii III iv v VI VII

Commonly Used Modal Interchange Chords

From C Major (Ionian)

G (V)
: Major dominant instead of minor, creates stronger cadence
C (I)
: Major tonic for Picardy Third ending
D° (ii°)
: For heightened tension in minor progressions

From C Dorian

F (IV)
: Major subdominant for brighter sound
A (VI)
: Natural 6th creates jazzier, less dark minor sound

From C Phrygian

D♭ (♭II)
: Creates Spanish/Phrygian dominant sound

From C Harmonic Minor

G (V)
: Common dominant in minor keys
B° (vii°)
: Leading tone diminished chord

Common Progressions Using Modal Interchange

1. Cm - A♭ - G - Cm (i - VI - V - i)
Using major dominant from harmonic minor for stronger cadence
2. Cm - F - G - Cm (i - IV - V - i)
Borrowing major subdominant from Dorian and dominant from harmonic minor
3. Cm - D♭ - Cm (i - ♭II - i)
Phrygian ♭II for Spanish/Flamenco flavor
4. Cm - A♭ - Fm - G (i - VI - iv - V)
Classic minor progression with major dominant from harmonic minor
5. Cm - E♭ - A♭ - G - C (i - III - VI - V - I)
Minor progression with Picardy Third ending (major tonic)

Voice-Leading Tips

When using modal interchange chords in minor keys, smooth voice-leading can create more musical transitions: