Types of Movement

There are three major types of chord movement. A step, a third, and a 4th. When moving around a scale you can use different types of movement to create a different feel.

Step Movement

Step movement creates neutral emphasis on either chord. An example of step movement is C-D-Em in the key of C.

4th Movement

This is a powerful movement. It emphasizes the chord that it is arriving on. Going from C-F is a fourth movement, but so is returning from F to C.

3rd Movement

Third movement is the weakest of all movement. It is generally an extension of the starting chord. For example, a C-Em is a third movement, a C chord is composed of a C-E-G an Em chord is comprised of E-B-G. This can create create significant tonal ambiguitiy, and a drone like feeling.

Borrowing

While not technically a movement, borrowing from the relative major or minor key can lend additional color to chord movement in a key.