Modal Interchange Palette
Borrow chords from the parallel major or minor. Gives you moodier options and progression starters that still fit your key.
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Questions
What is modal interchange in music?
Modal interchange (or modal mixture) means borrowing chords from a parallel mode. For example, in C major, you might borrow the bVII chord (Bb) from C Mixolydian or the iv chord (Fm) from C minor to add color.
How do I use borrowed chords in my progression?
The Modal Interchange Palette shows all available borrowed chords from parallel modes. Click any borrowed chord to hear it in context and see how it affects your progression's character.
What are common modal interchange chords?
The most common borrowed chords include the bVII (from Mixolydian), iv minor (from parallel minor), bVI (from Aeolian), and bIII (from parallel minor). These add emotional depth without leaving the home key entirely.
Which modes can I borrow chords from?
The tool shows borrowed chords from Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian, and Locrian modes, all relative to your current key. Each mode offers a different set of characteristic chords.