Harmonic DOs and DON'Ts A brief list of things to aim for and to avoid in terms of chords and harmonic progressions. Do Don't Keep most of the harmony simple by starting from stage one and only harmonic changes that are necessary in order to improve the bassline Use characteristic progressions from Bach's own chorales as often as you can Ib and VI are the best approach chords to IIb7 in the run up to a cadence All other things being equal, it is a good idea to keep a root position I on the first strong beat of a chorale or its upbeat (in fact, this is not a bad rule of thumb for all phrases) Root progressions using falling thirds (e.g. VI to IV and I to VI) are much better than those using rising thirds If you use the same chord twice in a row, make sure that one is in root position and one is in first inversion Don't use second inversions other than IC in IC - V - I Avoid progressions using II other than as an approach chord to V Don't use II in root position in minor keys (it is a diminished chord) Don't use VII other than as VIIb resolving either to I or Ib Don't use III other than as an approach to VI and avoid in minor keys altogether Only use VI in root position (but VI is otherwise the most flexible secondary chord - it can progress effectively to IV, V and ii7b) Avoid progressions between IV and V unless the melody is going in the opposite direction to the root progression of the two chords (same goes for V and VI)