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Introduction

Basics

Introduction to Cadences

Simple Prolongation

First Analysis

Decorations

More Prolongations

Analysis

Sequences I

Introduction Melodic Motion Secondary Dominants Examples

Cadence Variations

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Examples

You should now be able to understand the most common features of cycle of fifths progressions and we can examine a number of examples. They are easy to find. But first, a short review of all that we have seen so far:

• In a cycle of fifths the root of each chord is a fifth above (or a fourth below) the root of the next chord.

• Often seventh chords are used. These can be secondary seventh chords, or they may be altered to become secondary dominants.

• The strong melodic motions are those of the seventh – which falls to the third of the next chord, and the third – which rises to the root of the following chord.

• Sometimes the third will not rise to the root of the next chord. Instead it can be suspended to become the seventh of the following chord.

• One of the root progressions in the cycle is often a diminished fifth. This is needed to keep the sequence from changing key.

Looking at examples which follow you should note:

• Strict repetition of a pattern is not required – in fact it is often avoided.

• The progressions often use a mixture of the techniques we have studied – secondary sevenths, secondary dominants and motion directly from the third of one chord to the seventh of the next.

• At least one of the strong melodic motions of the third and seventh are generally present.

• As with other common patterns seen so far, a cycle of fifths progression can be used to support a wide variety of music styles and expressions.