Progression (melodic and harmonic motion)
The movement of notes or voices from one degree to the next.
What it means
Fortschreitung (progression) denotes the movement of notes or voices from one degree to the next. It can occur stepwise, in seconds, or by leaps over larger intervals. The term applies both to a single melodic line and to the relationship of several voices and to the succession of chords.
Musical use
In harmony one speaks of chord progressions, such as dominant to tonic, and of voice leading, that is, the manner in which each voice moves in the process. Good progressions prefer short paths and avoid forbidden parallels. One distinguishes contrary motion, parallel motion, oblique motion, and similar motion, according to how two voices relate to each other.
Progression should be distinguished from modulation, which means a change of key, and from sequence, which repeats a motif on another degree. The progression describes the path itself, regardless of whether it is repeated.
Performance practice
When playing, pay attention to the direction in which your part moves and shape it accordingly: upward with a slight swell, downward with relaxation. In part music, follow how your progression works together with the other voices.