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6.6.8
Clockwise Scale Progression: C Major to F Major

Have another look at Figure 48 above, (key of C major/A minor). Suppose you start at the C major chord. To stay within the circle, you have two choices:

  1. You can progress clockwise to F major; or
  2. You can progress counterclockwise to G major.

Suppose you start by playing four bars of the C major chord on your guitar or piano to establish tonality. Then progress clockwise to the F major chord and play a few bars. How does it feel?

Your brain senses a purposeful, natural harmonic move. A feeling of moving ahead, of going somewhere.

It doesn’t matter if you start by playing the C major chord in a high octave, then move to the F major chord in a lower octave, or vice-versa. Either way, you sense a purposeful, natural, comfortable harmonic progression.

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