ASII: Popular Music

Unit 8-4: Other Sequences

Objectives

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

Demonstrate further proficiency in identifying examples of descending 3rds and 5ths, and recognize other examples sequences in examples from the repertoire.
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 other types of sequences in major and minor.

Preparation for Class

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 (Other Sequences): Compose a progression (or pick one from the anthology) that incorporates an ascending sequence. 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!

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

Aural Anthology: Listen to song examples from the section "Sequence ID." Continue practice examples of desceding 3rds and 5ths sequences, but also mix in examples from the "Other Sequences" section on the spreadsheet. Listen to the example and identify whether the sequence is ascending or descending and by what interval. Given the first chord of the sequence, try to work out the chords you hear.
Theory Anthology: See the sections "Ascending Sequences" and "Other Diatonic Sequences" 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 8-4

NEXT STEP

Additional Practice

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

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