The Church Pianist: Chord Substitutions with Jesus Paid it All

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I've mentioned before that I enjoy
accompanying vocalists because I'm
not enslaved to the melody.



Chord substitutions add so much
life and warmth to a song.


I think in chord frames as I pointed out
in previous articles.




Warning:

This type of free-style accompaniment
only works for vocalists that are confi-
dent with the melody.




I find that it throws some vocalists that
depend heavily on the pianist for the
melody.




The pianist can still use chord substitu-
tions but must adhere to the melody for
vocalists needing the extra support.




Editor notes for: Jesus Paid it All
in the Key of C Major




Measure # 2:

The vi chord (a,c,e) substitutes the I chord
*This adds a nice chord variety when the
I chord lasts for 3 or more beats.




Measure#3:

The ii chord subsitutes the V7 and then re-
solves back to the V7 on the 3rd beat.




Measure#5:

The iii chord substitutes the I chord which
progresses nicely into a vi chord in the next
measure.




Measure#6:

The vi chord replaces the I chord.
The ii diminished chord replaced
the I chord on the word: "Find"
and pleasantly resolved back into
the I chord in Measure#7.




Measure#7:

I added an extra measure after this
one (measure#8) to allow time for
several chord substitutions that lead
nicely into the chorus. An extra measure
works well at the end of a verse. (Espec-
ially when the last word of the verse has
the same chord as the first word of the
chorus).




Measure#8:

Just use a IV to a V7 chord which will lead
back to the I chord (in measure#10)



Measure#11:

The IV chord replaces the I chord once again
and resolves back to the I chord on the next
word (which would be measure#12).


Refer to my other articles on chord substitutions
if needing extra help on application.