Sequences

Descending 5ths

Descending 3rds

Ascending & Descending 6-3 Sequences

5-6 Sequences (Ascending/Descending)

Other Diatonic Sequences

Chromatic Sequences

More Examples

Descending 5ths

For examples in popular music, see Descending 5ths here.

1) Johanna Kinkel, “Der Spanische Zitherknabe,” mm. 39–42

From 6 Gedichte, Op. 8 (1838), words by Emanuel Geibel

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: Youtube (1:24–1:34)
Note: Challenging example

Descending 3rds

For examples in popular music, see Descending 3rds here.

1) Henry F. Williams, “The Parisian Waltzes,” mm. 24–32 (1854)

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: MP3 (1:01–1:11)

2) Fanny (Mendelssohn) Hensel, “Gondellied,” mm. 3–10

From 6 Lieder, Op. 1, No. 6 (1846)

Scores: MuseScore, PDF, Image
Audio: YouTube (0:06–0:25)

3) Juan Luis Guerra, “Bachata Rosa,” verse 1

From Bachata Rosa (1990), words and music by Juan Luis Guerra.

Audio: YouTube (0:14–0:31)
Note: The same progression repeats from 0:31–0:47.

G D/F# Em

Te regalo una rosa,

Bm C

la encontré en el camino

No se si esta desnuda

A7 D

o tiene un solo vestido, no lo se.

Ascending & Descending 6-3 Sequences

1) Joseph Bologne, String Quartet Op. 1, No. 6
Movt. 2, mm. 171–179 (1771)

Scores: PDF, Image
Audio: Youtube (39:44–39:55)

2) Harry T. Burleigh, “Worth While,” mm. 8–19
From 5 Songs of Laurence Hope (1915)

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: Youtube (0:21–0:51)

5-6 Sequences (Ascending/Descending)

For examples in popular music, see “5-6 Sequences” on the page Other Sequences.

1) Fanny (Mendelssohn) Hensel, “Wanderlied,” mm. 20–31
From 6 Lieder, Op. 1 (1846), lyrics by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Score: PDF | Image | MuseScore
Audio: Youtube (0:26–0:46)
Note: There are two different sequences represented in this example. Can you identify both by type?

Other Diatonic Sequences

1) Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Romance for Violin, Op. 39, mm. 23–29
(1899)

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: Youtube (1:06–1:26)

Chromatic Sequences

1) Henry F. Williams, “The Parisian Waltzes,” mm. 24–42

(1854)

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: MP3 (1:01–1:37)

2) Mel Brooks, “Opening Night,” mm. 17–24

From the musical The Producers (1950), music and lyrics by Mel Brooks

Score: Image
Audio: Youtube (0:08–0:21)

3) The Modern Jazz Quartet, Django, mm. 21-32

From Live in Bonn, Beethovenhalle (1959), written by John Lewis

Scores: Image, PDF, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:34-0:51)

4) Harry T. Burleigh, “The Jungle Flower,” mm. 36-43

From 5 Songs of Laurence Hope (1915)

Scores: Image, PDF, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (2:00-2:24)
Student Note: There are two different sequences represented in this example. Can you identify both by type?

5) Louise Farrenc, Etude No. 11 in E major, mm. 9–19

From 30 Etudes dan touse les tons majeurs et mineurs pour piano, Op. 26 (1876)

Scores: Image, PDF, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:05–0:12)

6) Chico Buarque, “Cordão,” mm. 33-40

From Construçao (1971), written by Chico Buarque

Scores: Image, PDF, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:52–1:04)
Student Note: There are two different sequences represented in this example. Can you identify both by type?

More Examples

Paula Maust, Expanding the Music Theory Canon: Sequences
Diverse Music Theory Examples: Diatonic Sequences, Chromatic Sequences
Music By Women: Explore the Database (Click on the Harmonic Progression Filter on the left and select Sequences.)
Yale Musical Examples Database: See the "Harmonic Progressions" tab at the bottom.

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