Any note can follow and be followed by any other note.

Any chord can precede and succeed

any other chord
- Vincent Persichetti, Composer

There are no wrong notes; some are just more right than others. - Thelonious Monk

Ways to organize and control your chord progressions:

1. The size and interval of your root motions (e.g., C to F, C to Gb, C to Eb)
a. - Root motions down a 5th feel very stable and very final
b. - Root motions down a 4th feel very "relaxing" and settling
2. Flavor of chord youre leaving (major, minor, etc) to flavor of chord youre arriving to
(major, minor)
3. The number of notes in common from the first chord to the second chord
4. Are the chords in a scale together? Do they share a scale?

Some examples of chord progressions and mood:

1. Up a Major 2nd, major to major

a. Wonder, fantasy, science fiction, otherworldly
2. Up a Tritone, Major to Major
a. Wonder, Otherworldly triumphant
3. Up a minor 2nd, major to major
a. Eastern, exotic, mysterious adventure
4. Up a major 4th, major to major
a. Homespun, folksy, country, intimate
5. Up a minor third, major to major
a. Anticipatory adventure, Breath being held, anticipation, expectation
6. Up a major third, major to minor (and reverse)
a. Action adventure, lean epic action
7. Up a fourth, Minor to Major
a. Mysterious, magical, deep space/deep ocean
8. Up a fourth, Major to Minor
a. Wistful, love theme, Princess Leia
b.
How to learn your chordal vocabulary?
Transcribe, transcribe! Play along with tunes.
Make a spreadsheet. Track your chord progressions and emotions