Basic Chord Progression Design

Basic Chord Functions and Progression Patterns

How does one chord relate to other chords in a passage? How does a chord function in a harmonic phrase, in the broad plan of a section of a work, or in the overall harmonic strategy of a whole composition? What does "chord relationship" actually mean? These questions can be answered in part by noting the melodic intervals between the roots of chords in the passage and how these intervals establish relationships among the chords.

Basic Interval Relationships

Example 1: Closure in Melodic Intervals
Example 2: Goal Oriented Progressions
Example 3: Effect Of Third Relations
Example 4: Effect Of Second Relations

Chord Function Categories: Tonic, Dominant, Predominant

Example 5: Tonicization And Harmonic Prolongation Via Fifth Relation Cycles

Chord Function Categories: Other (common tone subsitution, series-of-fifths)

Example 6: Chord Function Categories and Common Tone Substitution
Example 7: Downward Substitution To Enter A Series-Of-Fifths Progression (1)
Example 8: Downward Substitution To Enter A Series-Of-Fifths Progression (2)
Example 9: Upward Substitution To Enter A Series-Of-Fifths Progression