Eb Chord Progressions: iii and III Substitutions

Remember from last time:

I. Eb major
ii. Fm
iii. Gm
IV. Ab major
V. Bb major
vi. Cm
vii(b5). Ddim

The Eb major diatonic scale is as follows: Eb F G Ab Bb C D Eb

Therefore, the relative minor of Eb major (the chord and the scale) is C minor.

The C natural minor scale is as follows: C D Eb F G Ab Bb C

The C harmonic minor scale is as follows: C D Eb F G Ab B C

Now we have those ground rules established, it might help in the songwriting process to substitute the mellow iii chord with a more confident III chord. Going back to the simple relative minor substitutions from last time, let's try the following progression:

I-V-I-V-IV-V-I (I-V): Eb Bb Eb Bb Ab Bb Eb (play Eb Bb quickly)

Let's replace some I and V chords with their relative minors, vi and iii respectively.

I-V-vi-iii-IV-V-I (vi-V): Eb Bb Cm Gm Ab Bb Eb (Cm Bb)

Let's replace the iii chord with a III chord (that is a major chord).

I-V-vi-III-IV-V-I (vi-V): Eb Bb Cm G Ab Bb Eb (Cm Bb)

Anyway, to connect with the natural minor and harmonic minor scales mentioned above, let's look at the iii and III chords.

iii. G minor chord (G Bb D notes)

III. G major chord (G B D notes)