Basic rules of progression

Complexity : 1/10 (simple)

Rules of melodic progression
- No two parts may move in parallel 8s or 5s. These faults are called consecutive octaves and consecutive fifths respectively.
- Parts should not move from unison to octave and vice versa.
- Parts should not move to octaves in contrary motion.
- S and B may not approach a 5th or 8ve in similar motion with a leap in the S. This fault is called Exposed Octave. Approaching an octave in similar motion with S moving by step is perfectly ok.
- Parts may not overlap between consecutive chords. Overlapping is undesirable since it endangers the identity of the parts. However, there is no harm in overlapping between two positions of the same chord.
- Perfect fifth followed by diminished fifth is ok between upper parts, but must be avoided with the bass.
- Avoid doubling the leading tone. It gives it undue prominence.
- Avoid ungainly leaps, too many consecutive leaps, sticking around one note for too long.
- When the melody moves by a third, it is effective to have the bass move by a step. This is good strong to weak, or weak to strong. Making the bass take the same notes as the soprano in the reverse order is also good, though not weak to strong.

Some guidelines on harmonic progression
Chords without inversion
- Chords whose roots are a 4th or a 5th apart typically give strong chord progressions.
- Roots falling a 3rd are good strong to weak, as well as weak to strong.
- Roots rising a 3rd are good strong to weak, but not weak to strong.
- II-I in root position is not a good progression.
- No cadence should be immediately preceded by its first or second chord. Otherwise the effect of the cadence is marred.
Chords in first inversion
- Avoid VIIb-V, VIIb-IVa or VIIb- Vb. VIIb is generally best followed by Ia or Ib, but IIb, Vb and VIb are also possible.
- Vb generally sounds best if the leading note in the bass moves to tonic. This means Vb-I, or Vb-VIb should sound good.
- In IIb-V, it is best to double the bass of the former.
- Change from root position to first inversion of the same chord is good strong to weak, not weak to strong.