…But what’s a parallel key? Major and minor scales that share the same tonic are called parallel keys<\/strong>. For example, C major and C minor are parallel keys. Each consists of a handful of chords that are built using pitches that belong to the key \u2014 C major consists of the triads C major, D minor, E minor, F major, G major, A minor, and B diminished, while C minor consists of the triads C minor, D diminished, Eb major, F minor, G minor, Ab major, and Bb major.<\/p>\n If we were to use a F minor chord while in the key of C major, the F minor would be considered a borrowed chord<\/strong> because it was borrowed from the parallel key, C minor. Borrowed chords are a great way to add a logical but unexpected harmonic flair to your music, and they actually show up in pop songs more often than you might think (borrowing the iv chord in major keys is particularly popular \u2014 take a listen to the last chord in the chorus of Bruno Mars’ “When I Was Your Man”<\/a> for an example).<\/p>\n Now that you have an understanding of this compositional technique, put it into practice with this week’s Songwriting Club prompt: write a song that makes use of at least one borrowed chord.<\/strong><\/p>\n Here’s what I came up with:<\/p>\n