What are Borrowed Chords?

Borrowed chords are chords taken from a parallel key or scale and used within a different key to add harmonic color and variety. Most commonly, chords are borrowed from the parallel minor or parallel major scale. This means that even though a piece of music may be written in a major key, it may temporarily use chords from the minor version of that same key.

For example, in the key of C major, a composer might borrow chords from C minor. While the normal chords in C major include C major, F major, and G major, borrowed chords such as E♭ major or A♭ major may appear. These chords introduce notes that are not normally part of the major scale, creating a richer and more expressive sound.

Borrowed chords are widely used in many musical styles including classical music, jazz, pop, and film scoring. They help composers add contrast and emotional depth without fully changing the key of the piece. By briefly borrowing harmony from a parallel scale, musicians can create more interesting and colorful chord progressions.