Bb Chord Progressions: iii and III Substitutions

Remember from last time:

I. Bb major
ii. Cm
iii. Dm
IV. Eb major
V. F major
vi. Gm
vii(b5). Adim

The Bb major diatonic scale is as follows: Bb C D Eb F G A Bb

Therefore, the relative minor of Bb major (the chord and the scale) is G minor.

The G natural minor scale is as follows: G A Bb C D Eb F G

The G harmonic minor scale is as follows: G A Bb C D Eb F# G

Now we have those ground rules established, it might help in the songwriting process to substitute the mellow iii chord with a more confident III chord. Going back to the simple relative minor substitutions from last time, let's try the following progression:

I-V-I-V-IV-V-I (I-V): Bb F Bb F Eb F Bb (play Bb F quickly)

Let's replace some I and V chords with their relative minors, vi and iii respectively.

I-V-vi-iii-IV-V-I (vi-V): Bb F Gm Dm Eb F Bb (Gm F)

Let's replace the iii chord with a III chord (that is a major chord).

I-V-vi-III-IV-V-I (vi-V): Bb F Gm D Eb F Bb (Gm F)

Anyway, to connect with the natural minor and harmonic minor scales mentioned above, let's look at the iii and III chords.

iii. D minor chord (D F A notes)

III. D major chord (D F# A notes)