Module 14 · Advanced

Beyond the key

Real songs often borrow notes and chords from outside their key, add colour notes on top of chords, or change key altogether. This module explains where those "outside" chords come from and how the bass handles them.

Before this module

4.6 Compound intervals
5.6 The circle of fifths
5.7 Transposing
6.3 Parallel major and minor
8.4 Chord function
10.1 The four main seventh chords
10.4 The dominant seventh
13.2 The seven modes, one by one

Lessons

14.1
Extended chords
Read 9th, 11th and 13th chords and know which notes matter for the bass.
Requires: 10.1, 4.6
14.2
Altered chords
Recognise altered dominant chords and know the bass's role over them.
Requires: 14.1
14.3
Secondary dominants
Recognise secondary dominants and their effect on the bass line.
Requires: 10.4, 8.4
14.4
Borrowed chords
Recognise chords borrowed from the parallel key (modal interchange).
Requires: 14.3, 6.3, 13.2
14.5
Changing key
Recognise how songs change key and how the bass leads into the new key.
Requires: 14.4, 5.6, 5.7