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Smooth Chord Progressions: Chords with Notes in Common
Third progressions, up or down, tend to be pretty weak, because the two chords that make up a third progression have two notes in common. For example, the chord C major consists of the notes C, E, and G. The chord A minor consists of the notes A, C, and E.
On the other hand, the fact of having two notes in common makes third progressions sound pretty smooth, which has its advantages. The familiar third-down progression C – Am, for example, sounds remarkably smooth.
Third progressions involving a major and a minor chord can sound quite palatable because of the major-minor mood contrast. As well, thirds up progressions tend to sound more ear-catching than thirds down progressions. Compare, for example, C - Am (thirds down) with C - Em (thirds up).