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A passing chord is a chord that connects two other chords in a progression. It creates a smooth harmonic transition and is often used to add movement, colour and sophistication to a chord sequence.
What is a passing chord?
A passing chord is usually not the harmonic destination. Instead, it serves as a musical bridge between two primary chords. Many passing chords contain notes that are outside the current key, creating a brief chromatic movement before resolving to the next chord.
One common example is inserting a C# diminished chord between a C major chord and a D minor chord. The passing chord creates a smoother and more interesting transition than moving directly between the two chords.
How are passing chords used in piano playing?
Passing chords are widely used in jazz, gospel, blues and pop piano. They help transform simple chord progressions into richer and more expressive accompaniments.
Instead of jumping directly from one chord to the next, pianists often insert a passing chord that leads naturally to the target chord. This creates smoother voice leading and gives the music a more polished and professional sound.