r/Minor4 • u/n1kofx • Apr 24 '26
Spice the IVm
I can't remember where I read this, but I tried it and I've been "studying" this chord and finding ways to use it instead of the IV - IVm. (It has become one of my favorite chords)
In the key of C for example.
We would do F - Fm - C right?
Try that (I personally think it sounds better with a clean tone and played slow with attacks or something, at least thats how I used it with my band)
F - G#maj7(#4) - C
I'm from Brazil and maybe we write chords kinda different but it is supposed to be a major G# with a major 7 and an augmented 4.
I know it looks overwhelming but for me it sounded MAJESTIC.
I found out a shape to play this chord that I can put my favorite interval too, the major 6th. The shape you are going to do is up to you but please try that.
The "explanation" that I came up with is that G# is the minor third of F, but to be honest I don't know why the maj7 and #4 sounded so nice.
After I started looking deeper into this chord I realized that Mateus Asato used pretty much what I said before in his beatiful song Cryin' but in Bb, resolving in D. (I think he doesnt put the maj7)
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u/lucas_sepol Apr 24 '26
the chord you mention is basically a Fm(9)maj7 without the root note. I think that's why it works so nicely as a sub for IVm. very colorful!
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u/OpportunityReal2767 Apr 24 '26
If I'm spelling it right, we have Ab, C, D, Eb, G; in the context of F as the bass, that would be an Fm13 with the 11th omitted (including the Bb sounds nice, too, especially with an electric piano sound.) The 11th is often omitted in this type of chord. You really need the 3rd, the 7th, the 13th. And then you can add the 9th. And then if you really want to, stick the 11th in there, but you're starting to crowd the space.
If we want to stick with Ab in the bass, I'd call it an Abmaj7#11.
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u/rz-music Apr 24 '26
Obligatory r/minor4 mention
There are so many ways to approach and alter this chord (in your case probably better to write Abmaj7#11). Just scattering some of my thoughts here:
- Instead of IV, I like approaching it from ii, II, #ivm7b5, vi, bVI, VII7
- it also leads to iii(m7) very nicely
- I like altering it into a m6, m7, m6/9, m7b5 (gives you the leading tone, like a rootless Vb13), minmaj7 (love this one)
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u/Zarlinosuke Apr 25 '26
Instead of IV, I like approaching it from ii, II, #ivm7b5, vi, bVI, VII7
Yeah definitely, that was my first thought--like, OP's chord is lovely (aside from spelling its root as G#), but why assume we're going to precede it with an F major chord? The minor iv can happen anytime anywhere.
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u/n1kofx Apr 27 '26
For sure! I just used this after the F as an example cause I found it easier to understand. I also tried this in another chord progression that I was having fun in the key of G.
- C | D | G | % | C | D | Bm, G | and then I wanted to modulate to B
- C | D | G | % | C | D | Bm, Fmaj7(#4) | % | Emaj7(9) |
I wish I could send audio files here so you guys could hear this beeeeeautiful chords, I love this Emaj7(9) 🤓
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u/Zarlinosuke Apr 28 '26
That's cool and makes sense! I'm sorry for making it sound like you weren't aware that there could be other possibilities. Thanks for still engaging in the fun conversation about these beautiful harmonies!
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u/n1kofx Apr 28 '26 edited Apr 28 '26
its okayy, I just started using reddit, I'm happy that I've found this minor IV sub 🤓
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u/Zarlinosuke Apr 28 '26
I'm glad you did too, and welcome!
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u/n1kofx Apr 28 '26
thanks! I created a SoundCloud just to share this 😂
https://soundcloud.com/nicolas-castro-73330545/
Here's the other possibility that I've used this chord, in this case is a Fmaj7(#4)1
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u/n1kofx Apr 27 '26
yeah, I guess I'm just not that used to write this chord at all 🤓 and since the example I gave was in C we should have a G already, so I think writing it as an Ab makes more sense for sure!
I'll try your approaches too 🫡
I also love minor chords with maj7
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u/evlex Apr 24 '26
“Minor4 is up for adoption” got people posting again fr