Passing chords are a vital element in piano playing, particularly in gospel, jazz, and contemporary music. They add color, depth, and sophistication to your music, transforming simple progressions into soulful, dynamic pieces. If you’re a beginner or an intermediate player eager to elevate your piano playing, understanding passing chords is essential. In this guide, we will break down the basics of passing chords and show you how to apply them effectively in various piano keys.

What Are Passing Chords?

Passing chords are transitional chords that connect two main chords in a progression. They create movement and tension, making the music more engaging and fluid. These chords often lead the listener’s ear toward the next destination chord, adding a touch of unpredictability or smoothness to a song.

For example, if you’re moving from a C chord to an F chord, a passing chord can bridge the gap, making the transition smoother and more musically interesting.

Why Learn Passing Chords?

Passing chords are more than just fillers—they’re an expressive tool that enhances your playing. Here are a few reasons why they’re worth mastering:

1. Add Depth to Your Playing: Passing chords enrich simple progressions, making your music sound more professional.
2. Improve Your Improvisation Skills: Passing chords give you more options when creating music on the spot.
3. Enhance Musicality: They help you connect chords more smoothly, enhancing the overall flow of your music.
4. Learn Popular Styles: Passing chords are fundamental in genres like gospel, R&B, and jazz.

Basic Passing Chord Types

There are several types of passing chords commonly used in piano playing. Let’s explore the most basic ones:

1. Chromatic Passing Chords

Chromatic passing chords are created by moving in half steps between two main chords. For example:

• Moving from C to F:
  • Play C – D – Eb – F (each chord is played chromatically).

These chords create a sense of tension and release, guiding the listener smoothly to the target chord.

2. Diminished Passing Chords

Diminished chords are built by stacking minor thirds. They add a dramatic and suspenseful feel. For example:

• Moving from C to Dm:
  • Play C – C#dim – Dm.

3. Dominant Seventh Passing Chords

Dominant seventh chords are often used to lead into the next chord. For example:

• Moving from C to F:
  • Play C – G7 – F.

The G7 chord naturally resolves to the F chord because of its tension.

4. Half-Diminished Passing Chords

Half-diminished chords, also called minor seventh flat five chords, are another useful type of passing chord. For example:

• Moving from Dm to G:
  • Play Dm – Eø (E half-diminished) – G.

5. Suspended Passing Chords

Suspended chords replace the third with a fourth (sus4) or second (sus2), creating a suspended sound. For example:

• Moving from C to F:
  • Play C – Csus4 – F.

Common Progressions with Passing Chords

Now that you know the basic types of passing chords, let’s apply them in common progressions:

1. The I-IV-V-I Progression with Passing Chords

This classic progression becomes more interesting with passing chords. In C major:

• Without Passing Chords:
  • C – F – G – C.
• With Passing Chords:
  • C – E7 – F – G7 – C.

The E7 serves as a passing chord leading to the F chord.

2. The ii-V-I Progression with Passing Chords

This progression is frequently used in gospel and jazz. In C major:

• Without Passing Chords:
  • Dm7 – G7 – C.
• With Passing Chords:
  • Dm7 – G7 – C – A7 – Dm7 – G7 – C.

The A7 acts as a passing chord, creating a smooth circle of motion back to Dm7.

3. The 7-3-6-2-5-1 Progression

This progression is popular in gospel music and becomes more engaging with passing chords. In C major:

• Without Passing Chords:
  • Bdim – Em7 – Am7 – Dm7 – G7 – C.
• With Passing Chords:
  • Bdim – E7 – Am7 – D7 – G7 – C.

Adding dominant seventh chords makes the progression more colorful.

How to Practice Passing Chords

1. Practice Scales and Arpeggios

Start with major and minor scales to build a solid foundation. Practice arpeggios to get comfortable with different chord shapes.

2. Play Slowly

When adding passing chords to progressions, start slow. Focus on accuracy before increasing speed.

3. Learn in All Keys

Practice passing chords in all 12 keys to become versatile and confident in any key.

4. Experiment with Songs

Take simple songs and add passing chords. For example:

• “Amazing Grace”: Try adding chromatic or diminished passing chords between verses.
• “This Little Light of Mine”: Use dominant seventh chords to connect progressions.

5. Improvise

Experiment with different passing chords during improvisation. Play around with chromatic movements, diminished chords, and seventh chords to discover what sounds best.

Tips for Mastering Passing Chords

1. Listen to Gospel and Jazz Music: Pay attention to how pianists use passing chords in songs.
2. Use a Metronome: Practice with a metronome to maintain consistent timing.
3. Record Yourself: Recording helps identify areas for improvement.
4. Join a Music Community: Collaborate with others to learn new techniques and gain feedback.
5. Be Patient: Mastery takes time. Focus on gradual improvement.

Applying Passing Chords to Worship Music

Passing chords are especially common in worship music. They add richness to hymns, praise songs, and spontaneous worship moments. For example:

• In “How Great Thou Art”, use diminished and chromatic passing chords to transition between verses.
• In “Way Maker”, incorporate suspended chords for a modern, ambient feel.

Final Thoughts

Learning the basic passing chords in piano keys opens up a world of musical possibilities. By incorporating chromatic, diminished, dominant seventh, and suspended chords into your progressions, you can transform your playing from simple to sophisticated. Remember, the key to mastering passing chords is practice, experimentation, and listening. Start incorporating them into your favorite songs today, and watch your piano skills soar to new heights.