Unit 8-3: Descending 5th and 3rd Sequences

Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

Aurally identify examples of descending 3rds and 5ths sequences in songs.
Transcribe the chords and melody for examples that include the sequences above.
Demonstrate further proficiency in sight reading, improvising, and transcribing rhythms that incorporate beat notes other than dotted quarters in compound meters (e.g. 6/4 and 9/16).
Sight sing and improvise melodies that incorporate descending 5ths and 3rds sequences in major and minor.

Preparation for Class

Watch

Pachelbel Canon in D

Cynthia Gonzales (2 mins)

Backing track: Autumn Leaves in G Minor
BearlyMusic (8 mins)

ReferenceAids

Reference Handout

This handout compiles handouts by Daniel Jenkins (pp. 1–4) and Nancy Rogers (pp. 5–9) with descriptions and examples of various types of ascending and descending sequences.
Quick Summary of Diatonic Sequences (Sarah Louden)

Chord Progressions: Desc. 5ths and 3rds
Source: Sarah Louden (Sequence Handout)

Three examples of descending fifth sequences (by seconds) are shown in standard musical notation in the bass clef. Roman numeral analysis is provided below each example. Arrows and the label "↓2nd" indicate the descending second relationship between the phrases. The first example shows a I - IV - vii° - iii - vi - ii - V - I progression. The second example shows a I - IV6 - vii° - iii6 - vi - ii6 - V - I progression. The third example is a I6 - IV - vii°6 - iii - vi6 - ii - V6 - I progression.

Two examples of descending 3rd sequences ("Pachelbel Sequence") are shown in standard musical notation in the bass clef. Roman numeral analysis is provided below each example. Arrows and the label "↓3rd" indicate the descending third relationship between the phrases. The first example shows a I - V - vi - iii - IV - I - ii6 - V - I progression. The second example shows a I - V6 - vi - iii6 - IV - I6 - ii6 - V - I progression.

Voice Leading for a Descending 5ths Sequences
Source: Timothy Rolls (Theory II: Sequences)

A descending fifths sequence is shown in standard musical notation. The sequence is in C major and spans two octaves, with the melody in the treble clef and the bass line in the bass clef. Roman numeral analysis is provided below the bass clef. The sequence is as follows: I - IV - vii° - III - vi - ii - V.

A descending fifths sequence with alternating first inversion chords is shown in standard musical notation. The sequence is in C major and spans two octaves, with the melody primarily in the treble clef and the bass line in the bass clef. Roman numeral analysis is provided below the bass clef, along with figured bass notation. The sequence is as follows: I - IV6 - vii° - III6 - vi - ii6 - V.

In-Class Activities

Improvisation

Melodic Improvisation (Descending 5ths or 3rds Sequences): Compose descending 5ths or 3rds progression (or pick one from the anthology). Sing through arpeggiations of each of the chords, then improvise a simple melody over the chord progression without using a chord grid (but visualizing it while you sing). Create a backing track using an online chord player like Chord Player, Musicca Chord Player, or ChordChord to fit your progression. Aim to sequence your melody with the chords! (In other words, think in 2-chord chunks where every melodic fragment goes down a step or 3rd each time.)

Sight Reading

Melodic Sight-Reading: Sight-read melodies in the section "Diatonic Sequences."
Rhythm Sight-Reading: Continue sight-reading rhythms in the section "Compound Meters."

Sight Singing: Sequences

Rhythms: Other Beat Units

Aural ID and Dictation

Before you begin, discuss strategies for identifying sequences and the musical cues that help distinguish descending 5ths from 3rds.

Aural Anthology: Listen to examples of descending 5ths and 3rds sequences in the section "Sequence ID." Identify where the sequence occurs in the selection (using measure numbers or lyrics) and whether the sequence is a descending 3rds or descending 5ths sequence.
Theory Anthology: See the section "Descending 3rds & Descending 5ths" for additional examples for sequence ID and to select an example for dictation. Transcribe the melody and chords, using both Roman numerals and chord symbols.

Aural Anthology: Sequences

Theory Anthology: Sequences

Assignment

Assignment 8-3

NEXT STEP

Next Lesson: Other Sequences

Additional Practice

Auralia:
- Melodic Dictation: Level 11
- Rhythm Dictation: Level 10
Musition:
- Rhythm Tapping: Level 8c

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