Explaining Progressions
This is an excerpt from a theory book I used while taking music theory classes in college. It comes from observations of usage by classical composers in common practice. This isn’t concrete, but it can be used as a guideline as to why certain chords are played in certain orders and stuff like that. The theory book uses Roman Numerals to represent numbers. I’ll post the Roman Numeral version and some number versions as well. Feel free to ask questions if something is unclear.
I is followed by IV or V, sometimes VI, less often II or III
II is followed by V, sometimes IV or VI, less often I or III
III is followed by VI, sometimes IV, less often I, II or V
IV is followed by V, sometimes I or II, less often III or VI
V is followed by I, sometimes IV or VI, less often II or III
VI is followed by II or V, sometimes III or IV, less often I
VII is followed by I or III, sometimes VI, less often II, IV or V
1 is followed by 4 or 5, sometimes 6, less often 2 or 3
2 is followed by 5, sometimes 4 or 6, less often 1 or 3
3 is followed by 6, sometimes 4, less often 1, 2 or 5
4 is followed by 5, sometimes 1 or 2, less often 3 or 6
5 is followed by 1, sometimes 4 or 6, less often 2 or 3
6 is followed by 2 or 5, sometimes 3 or 4, less often 1
7 is followed by 1 or 3, sometimes 6, less often 2, 4 or 5
Summary:
Usual: 1-4, 1-5, 2-5, 3-6, 4-5, 5-1, 6-2, 6-5, 7-1, 7-3
Sometimes: 1-6, 2-4, 2-6, 3-4, 4-1, 4-2, 5-4, 5-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6
Less often: 1-2, 1-3, 2-1, 2-3, 3-1, 3-2, 3-5, 4-3, 4-6, 5-2, 5-3, 6-1, 7-2, 7-4, 7-5