Harmonizing a Bass Line

1. Find places where cadences are possible and likely.

Look for:

1. Perfect Authentic cadences at the end
2. Authentic, deceptive and half cadences occurring within the piece.
1. Use subdominant IV and II chords to prepare the V in cadences
2. Use the second inversion chord only at cadences or as a passing, pedal or neighbor.
3. Use the following chord progression maps:
   1. I – IV – VII – III – VI - II – V – I
   2. I – VI – IV – II
   3. I – III
   4. I – VII⁶ – I⁶   and I I  - VII⁶ – I
   5. V – VI
4. Avoid the following progressions:
   1. V to anything but VI and I
   2. VII to anything but I and III
   3. II – I
   4. II – IV