21.4Start with a familiar packet

In D minor:

Em7♭5 → A7 → Dm

Notes:

Em7♭5: E G B♭ D

A7: A C♯ E G

Dm: D F A.

Important motion:

C♯ → D

and:

G → F

This is familiar.

So even if surrounding chords seem foreign, this three-chord packet is secure.