Dan,

In the key of C minor, B and A are melodic tones. They feature in the descending melodic minor mode of C minor, and they are commonly found in descending movement in minor-key melodies.

This progression is similar to an arrangement I've seen of the song "Feelings" that goes... Em EmM7 Em7 Em6 C.

The semitone descending harmonic movement of E-D#-D-C#-C that's present in this progression is often given to the bass and written as...

Em - Em/D# - Em/D - Em/C# - C

My experience is that if the bass line uses the notes for descending, it's usually not necessary to double them in one of the upper harmony parts.

I don't know if this is useful information but I thought I'd pass it on in case it's useful.

--Noel

MY SONGS...
Audiophile BIAB 2025