There are three different ways in which two parts may relate to one another:

Parallel motion

In parallel motion,
moves while

Contrary motion

Oblique motion

the pans move in the same direction;

the other

stays fixed; in contrary

in oblique motion, one part

motion,

they move in opposite

directions.
Other rules:
avoid

parts

moving

in parallel

a perfect

5th

or octave

apart

('parallel

5ths/octaves');
aim for contrary or oblique motion between the upper voices and the bass.
Note how these two rules are related.
avoid

'parallel

remembering

5ths'

or 'parallel

if you're improvising

If the bands move in contrary

octaves'.

This

general

motion,

principle

your own chord arrangements

you

is worth

in practically

any

style.

Chord progressions
A chord

and cadences

progression

is a sequence

respecting

the functions

of chords and using these to create patterns

resolution

that sound 'logical'.

of root progression:

of two or more

chords

Think of them as combinations

which

works

by

of tension and

of certain basic sorts

these in turn work because they're strong enough

to displace

the first chord with the second while keeping a sense of continuity.

Great root progressions:

up or down a 5th or 4th
down a 3rd
Other

root progressions:

up or down a 2nd
up a 3rd
The second group can work, depending

on context

and the particular

example, IV-V works well in classical music, bur V-IV is sometimes

you'll hear it a lot in blues-based

Plagal
I

I
U

-e-

~~~

~ ~J I

tt
-e-

~~~

IV

IJ I
~~:r-I
I

-e-:::;-

-jI

Interrupted

Imperfect

For

and rock music. (That's because blues emphasizes

Perfect

fl

chords.

avoided, though

95

VI