Unit 8-1: Descending 5ths & 3rds 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.
Sight sing and improvise melodies that incorporate descending 5ths sequences in a given chord progression in major or minor.
Demonstrate further proficiency in sight reading, improvising, and transcribing rhythms that incorporate asymmetrical meters, including 5/8, 5/4, 7/8, and 7/4.

Pachelbel Canon in D
Cynthia Gonzales (2 mins)

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)

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

Rhythmic Improvisation (Asymmetrical Meters): Continued practice from Unit 7-2.
- - Rhythm Grid with Takadimi syllables | Rhythm Grid without rhythmic syllables
  - 5/4 : Jazz Swing, 120bpm | 5/4: Groove, 160bpm
  - 7/4: Rock, 200bpm | 7/8: Middle Eastern, 100bpm
Melodic Improvisation (Descending 5ths Sequences): Compose descending 5ths progression. 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 each time.)

Melodic Sight-Reading: Sight-read melodies in the section "Diatonic Sequences."
Rhythm Sight-Reading: Continue practice sight-reading rhythms in the sections "5/8 and 5/4 Meters" and "Other Meters with Unequal Beats."

Sight Singing: Sequences

Rhythms: Mixed & Asymmetrical Meter

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, chords, and Roman numerals for each example. Indicate harmonic function below the Roman numerals (e.g. T, PD, D).

Aural Anthology: Sequences

Theory Anthology: Sequences

Assignment 8-1

Next Lesson: Sequences (cont.)

Auralia:
- Chord Progressions: Level 14a
- Melodic Dictation: Level 11
- Meter Recognition: Levels 4a–4c
- Rhythmic Dictation: Level 12
Musition:
- Rhythm Tapping: Levels 10a, 10b

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