Composing a song in Cm with major chord substitutes?

Question

I am composing a song in Cm with a very basic chord progression of I-IV-I. So, normally, in Cm, that would be Cm7-Fm7-Cm7, but I am actually playing Cm7-F7-Cm7. First of all, why does this work? This mix & match of Major and Minor chords in a minor key. Secondly, the obvious transition from IV is to V (G7), and it's ok...but what other transitions could I go for? Maybe modulation to another key?

Answer 1

Hi, Cm7-Fm7-Cm7 progression is coming from Natural or Harmonic minor. If you have F7 in the progression, that is a melodic minor. melodic minor is the only minor scale with a Major 6th in it, in this case your 6th would be "A", and that is the only note differentiates F7 from Fm7 chord. G7 can be either harmonic or melodic minor and yes there is lots of options to use to move forward.