Passing chords

Can anyone give me some general rules and/or tips on figuring out passing chords?? For example, How to get from an Fm to a Bb7(b9) in four beats using passing chords.

I wish I could help you... but I have no clue what you are talking about in passing cords, but I'll stay tuned to find out. ^_^ if someone else would be of so kind to answer.

What I mean by passing chords is chords that are used to get from one chord to another instead of using single notes. For example take an Em to a D7, and you want to get there chromatically.
Em D7 Em Ebdim7 D7
1|--------------5----|--------------5----|
2|----8--------------|----8----7---------|
3|----9---------5----|----9----5----5----|
4|----9---------4----|----9----7----4----|
5|----7----6----5----|----7----6----5----|
6|-------------------|-------------------|

The first measure has a chromatic walkdown E Eb D in the root notes
The second measure still has the same root notes but you add the dim7 chord to the Eb root note, that Ebdim7 would be considered a passing chord. Its a way to get from chord to chord with a fuller sound. Replacing single notes with chords basically. Hopefully this clears up my question a little bit better. What Im looking for is the theory behind this???????

Well the chords above the tab got all screwed up....hahaha... oh well im sure ya can figure it out.

yeah i'm not sure what your talking about either. I have herd of passing notes when creating solos and stuff.

What the hell is he talking about? Are you talking about transitioning from chord to chord?

I guess so buddy, I was taught they were called passing chords...(shrugs)Thats why im asking.
Chords that work OVER other chords....non-functional chords is the best way to describe it. Passing chords are non-functional and the chords on which the movement starts and ends are functional chords.

Em Ebdim7 D7

The Ebdim7 is a non-functional chord,just an embellisment,whereas the Em and the D7 are the functional chords. Its just another way to get to that D7 from the Em. See what I mean yet??

@ telecrater: Passing notes are basically what im talking about, but take it one step further and turn that passing note into a chord

I understand what you mean, but I'm not sure what steps to use. I would guess use G,A, or B chords. Maybe try using "suspended" like sus4 or sus2, since those work well for fills.

Yes yes sus4 chords work great for passing chords but why???
Another example: Say the piano or whatever instrument is bangin away on a F7 you could play an Eb7sus4 appregio over it and it goes with it, or a Db7 or a Gbmaj7 apreggio or even the chord itself and they work, but why? My ear knows what chords can be used as passing chords but I dont understand the theory of it.

there is such a thing as passing 6/4 chord. I haven't really used it much,and if I remember correctly, it can only be used under very specific conditions.I wish I had my textbook with me, but essentially, you take a root-position triad and invert it twice (ie. The 5th is now in the bass or lowest note). If my memory serves me it has to be a triad based on the tonic as well (the key you're in). Like I said, very restricted, but maybe it'll give you some ideas. Usually I just play stuff until it sounds cool, like this:
E|---------3-|
b|-9-7-5-4-|
g|-8-6-6-5-|
d|-9-5-7-6-|
a|-7---------|
e|---6-------|

Foogered thanks fer the great input!! I actually do know about the 6/4 passing chords,I wasnt really sure of the ingredients though,but now I have the recipe and the theory...thanks man! They are used mostly in jazz, but I find a lot of use for them in country stuff that has some good swing to it. Passing 6/4 chords are used between a root position and a first inversion chord, they kind of make a smooth, step-wise motion in the bass. They are very useful in cromatically ascending or descending bass lines. So pretty much anywhere there is chromatics used you would use this type of passing chord. Thats how they are limited though, they only really work chromatically.

Im still hoping to get some more theory on passing chords.Ive really been thinking about this subject a lot the past few days and this is what I have figured out for myself so far. If anyone has any corrections or suggestions to my theory it would be much appreciated.
For a chord to be a passing chord it is usually made up mainly of notes from the preceding chord plus linear moving notes. The one exemption to this is that chromatic bass notes are sometimes used. (This is what ive figured out anyways,seems to me to be true?)
The passing note fills in the gap between the two harmony notes in the chords before and after the passing note. The short duration of the passing note does not create a feeling of a change of harmony. The passing chord is an extension of the passing note,like telecrater was talking bout. What seems to really make them sound good though is the length of the passing note and the way the note sounds with other notes of the chord, it kind of creates a sense of a change in harmony. Without actually changing it.??????????????? They really confuse the hell out of me, but I think im starting to figure it out. What do you guys think about it?