Descending-Fifth Sequences

Question 1

descending-fifth sequences

Answer 1

• pattern with the harmonic root movement
• • down a 5th, up a 4th cycle
• in the key, the patter is
• • Major: I-IV–iii-vi-ii-V-I
• • Minor: i-vi-VII-III-VI–V-i
• most of the time, we use only the end of it vi-ii-V-I
• • chord can cause many issues
• the entire chain is used often leading back to tonic
• • the use of harmonic and LIP sequencing technique make these moments easy to identify
• because the sequence is built on motives, the descending fifths chain will often use fifth pairs to harmonize the restatement
• • I-IV, viio-iii, vi-ii V-I OR
• • I, IV-viio, iii-vi, ii-V, I
• because of the nature of the descending bass line, some doubling and voice leading rules are relaxed or illuminated during chains
• • the pattern is more important than some of the rules
• some techniques omit the Roman numeral analysis because of the function of chromatic sequences

Question 2

bass line

Answer 2

• many times the pairs will have mixed inversions for increased interest… this retains the chain of fifths but allows for diverse bass lines

Question 3

most sequences are based on motives that are harmonized by two chords

Answer 3

• this pattern further strengthens the chain sequence
• to analyze the harmonic structure of a sequence, you should reduce the music to only harmonies used without rhythm
• when we reduce, we can see the progressions and repetitions more clearly

Question 4

with seventh chords

Answer 4

• one or both of the chords may include a seventh
• combinations of root positions and inversions may be employed as well. when resolving seventh chords, incomplete voicing becomes a possibility (to avoid parallel fifths)
• inside a sequential chain, chordal sevenths are held as common tones and then should continue to resolve downward (with the root movement)
• leading tones may be excused from their normal tendency because of the sequential movements
• • one of the exceptions, and allows for “rule bending”
• we can add the suspension chains (such as the 7-6) to the sequence

Question 5

occasionally

Answer 5

• the ascending fifths chain will appear

- - sounds unique from what we are accustomed to hearing

Question 6

complete the descending fifth chain in D Major

D, __, C#, __, B, __, A, D

Answer 6

• G, F#, E

Question 7

the descending fifths chain, in major or minor, will usually be built on fifth-pairs

Answer 7

• true

Question 8

________ allow the descending fifths chain to have more interesting bass notes, while retaining the proper harmony

Answer 8

• inversions

Question 9

although chordal 7ths still behave the same way, sometimes in a descending fifth chain the leading tone will not resolve as expected

Answer 9

• true

Question 10

________ voicings are necessary when writing descending fifths involving 7ths to avoid parallel fifths

Answer 10

• alternating A & B