How to Write Chord Progressions, Rule #8, Part B: Use Modulation, Variant Chords, Chromatic Chords

Chord Variants:

You can make a chord progression harmonically interesting simply by replacing the default chords at any of the seven circular harmonic scale degrees. You have upwards of 30 variant chords to choose from for each of the seven circular harmonic scale degrees.

You can use more than one chord variant at each circular harmonic scale position in the same song.
Chromatic Chords:

Using chromatic chords is not difficult, but you have to be careful not to go overboard, or you’ll blur tonality. Review the examples earlier in this chapter.

These are only guidelines. You don’t have to try to modulate or use chord variants or chromatic chords every time you sit down to compose a tune. As you know, many many excellent songs only have two or three chords—a couple of simple triads and maybe a seventh. But they usually have something else going for them, such as a knockout melody or a gripping lyric.