Other Sequences

Ascending 5ths/Descending 4ths

5-6 Sequences (Ascending/Descending)

Other Diatonic Sequences

Chromatic Sequences

More Examples from Classical Repertoire

Ascending 5ths/Descending 4ths

1) Jimi Hendrix, “Hey Joe,” verse 1

From Are You Experienced (1967), words and music by Billy Roberts

Audio: Youtube (0:24– 1:11)

C G D A E
Hey Joe, where you goin’ with that gun in your hand?

C G D A E
Hey Joe, I said where you goin’ with that gun in your hand,

C G
I’m goin’ down to shoot my old lady,

D A
You know I caught her messin’ ‘round

E
with another man, yeah.

C G
I’m goin’ down to shoot my old lady

D A
You know I caught her messin’ ‘round

E

with another man. Huh! And that ain’t too cool.

2) Richrd O'Brian, “Time Warp,” refrain
From the film The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

Audio: Youtube (1:11–1:23)

3) Deep Purple, “Hush,” refrain

From Shades of Deep Purple (1968), written by Joe South

Youtube: (1:04–1:20)

5-6 Sequences (Ascending/Descending)

1) Ok Go, “Here It Goes Again,” verse

From Oh No (2005), written by Damian Kulash

Audio: Youtube (0:18–0:32)

C G
It could be ten, but then again, I can't remember

Bb F
Half an hour since a quarter to four

C G
Throw on your clothes, the second side of Surfer Rosa

Bb F
And you leave me with my jaw on the floor Hey!

2) The Eagles, “Hotel California,” verse

From Hotel California (1977), written by Don Felder, Don Henley, and Glenn Frey

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: Youtube (0:52–1:18)

Other Diatonic Sequences

1) The Everly Brothers, “All I Have to Do Is Dream,” bridge

Single (1958), words and music by Boudleaux Bryant

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: Youtube (0:48–1:06)

Chromatic Sequences

1) Phish, “Reba,” verse 1
From Lawn Boy (1990), written by Trey Anastasio

Audio: MP3

E♭ B♭
Reba sinka boulder in the water

E♭ B♭
Reba tiea cable to a tree

E♭ B♭ D♭
Reba stuck in a game of lipstick perfume flypaper

A♭ C♭ G♭ A
Reba pressa razor to a slide cross a needle

B♭
with a prune

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) Bruce Channel, “Hey! Baby,” chorus
From Hey! Baby (1962)

Audio: YouTube (0:14-0:41)

[Chorus]

A F#7 B7

Hey

E7 A F#7 B7

Hey baby,

E7 A F#7 B7

I wanna know

E7 A D A

If you'll be my girl

5) 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?

6) The Ronnettes, “Be My Baby,” verse
From Presenting the Fabulous Ronnettes (1963), written by Jeff Berry, Ellie Greenwich, and Phil Spector

Scores: Image, PDF, MuseScore
Audio: Youtube (0:08-0:37)

7) SZA (ft. Doja Cat), “Kill Bill,” chorus

From SOS (2022), written by SZA, Rob Bisel & Carter Lang

Audio: Youtube (0:32–0:55)
Harmonic Rhythm:
| E♭7 | E♭7/G | A♭∆7 | A♭∆7|
|F7 | F7 | B♭m9 | B♭m | (x2)
Note: The same progression repeats throughout the entire song.

B♭m E♭7 E♭7/G A♭∆ 7

I might kill my ex, not the best idea

F7 B♭m

His new girlfriend's next, how'd I get here?

E♭7 E♭7/G A♭∆ 7

I might kill my ex, I still love him, though

F7 B♭m9

Rather be in jail than alone

More Examples from Classical Repertoire

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.