the greatest chord to put between chords

Main Ideas

• A chord transition can make a progression more expressive than simply switching between two chords in the same key.
• The example moves from D to A by briefly playing D/E—a D chord with E in the bass.
  • Slash notation indicates that the bass note differs from the chord’s usual root.
  • Raising the bass by a whole step creates a yearning, unsettled quality, as if the chord wants to resolve.
  • D/E can also be understood as an E11 chord with some notes omitted.
• This approach can also be used for transitions to minor chords. The narrator says it is especially useful when moving down a fourth and that it works in any key.
• The broader takeaway is to experiment with changing the bass note between chords. This can create an effective transition without requiring much theory.

Example Method

1. Play a chord, such as D.
2. Keep the chord while raising its bass note by a whole step, producing D/E.
3. Resolve to A.
4. Try the same pattern in another key—for example, play F, then a raised-bass transition, then C.

Speakers and Sources

• Speaker: One unidentified narrator or host.
• Other audio: Instrumental music demonstrating the chords.