The 1-4 chord progression is one of the most commonly used progressions in gospel and blues music.

1) Adding a Vmin9 -- I 9 / 6 Chord Progression:

This progression can always lead to the IV chord. I play it all the time! In C major, this progression is: Cmaj - Gmin9 - C9 / 6 - F9

REFERENCE:

Cmaj = C E G
Gmin9 = F A B^b D
C9/ 6 = E A B^b D
F9 = E^b G A C

Now ... try playing them giving the Cmaj and F9 twice the amount of duration than the Gmin9 and C9 / 6 (pronounced " C minor nine with added 6th").

Cmaj Gmin9 C9/6 F9

How did it sound? If it worked out for you, try adding it to some of your songs when you need to transition from any 1 chord (like Cmaj) to a 4 chord (like Fmaj) ... that is, just simply add a Gmin9 --> C9/6. And don't forget, the only REAL difference between the Gmin9 and C9 / 6 chord is the lowered F to E.


2) Add a IV#9 right before the IV chord:

If the IV chord is a dom9 chord, then simply add the dom9 chord a half step higher to create a IV# 9 -- IV 9 progression. This sounds great in blues and gospel music! For example, in C major, this is: C9 - G^b9 - F9

REFERENCE:

C9 = Bb D E G (this chord is inverted so that B^b is on the bottom)

G^b9 = E A^b B^b D^b

F9 = E^b G A C


... Try it!

C9 G^b9 F9


>>> These two progressions can be used when you are in a situation that requires a fill-in between a C7 or C9 and an F7 or F9 (or any 1-4 relationship in another key).