TonalityGUIDE - basic tonal music theory and analysis for undergraduates
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Short Progressions


introduction diatonic chromatic

introduction | fifths | seconds | thirds

introduction | VII-I | interrupted cadence | IV-V


short progs.
longer progs.

Chord progressions by major and minor second are a common feature of all tonal styles. They can appear at any points in the phrase, as the example below shows.

This example contains more progressions by a second than you might usually expect to find in one phrase. When trying to write in the style of Bach (and most other tonal composers) you have to be careful to avoid parallel fifths when using this sort of of progression. The page on IV-V progressions gives an example of this potential problem.



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TonalityGUIDE - Tonal Harmony and Voiceleading - Table of Contents