Chord subs bass players can do

[Willie5String]

I have been studying chord substitution this week.

I learned that in a chord sequence of G|G|G|G|C|C, it can be played as G|G|G|G7|C|C, since subbing G7 draws the ear to C....I also learned that the bass player can use a walk down in G7 in the 4th bar, when the rest of the band plays G, and it sounds good and kind of funky.

Share chords subs you use.

 

[AGCurry]

I'd say the classic is to substitute ii7-V7 for the IV when heading to I. This substitution could be seen as the embryo of jazz.

 

[Febs]

Tritone substitution, where you substitute a dominant 7 chord for a dominant 7 chord a tritone away.

So, for example:

Dm7 G7 | C

A tritone substitution for the G7 is a Db7:

Dm7 Db7 | C

The substitution works because the 3rd and 7th of the two chords are the same notes (enharmonically)

G7 : 3rd = B, 7th = F
Db7: 3rd = F, 7th = Cb (enharmonic equivalent of B)

It's a nice substitution from a bass players perspective because it lets you play a descending chromatic line over a ii-V-I.

 

[BassChuck]

I'd say the classic is to substitute ii7-V7 for the IV when heading to I. This substitution could be seen as the embryo of jazz.

No doubt. I totally agree and use this a lot as it adds variety and motion and energy to a chord progress.
That said.... I nearly got fired from a R&B band for doing just that. They were pretty much set on doing things as recorded (like, in 1958) so, none of the 'jungle music' please.
Some people just born boring I suppose.

 

[Malcolm35]

^^ditto^^ Does the director (and the guys) want something beyond the I-IV-V? This is worked out at practice not at a gig.