sequence
LEXIS
Sequence refers to the repeated repetition (also with variations) of a musical phrase in the same voice on another level of the scale. Usually the direction (up = rising or down = falling) is maintained. The real sequence preserves the intervals between all notes, which is only possible with modulation and therefore leads to another key; in a tonal sequence the key remains the same, which is why the intervals must change in some places.
Example
Mozart, Piano sonata K. 331The period begins with a minor third (E-G-G), continues in a minor third (D-E-F) and ends in a major third (C-D-E). This is called a falling tonal sequence.
Descending fifths
Particularly frequent is the displacement by a fifth down, referred to as descending fifths. For example, if the phrase starts with C in the first pass (the model), use F in the repeat, and so on. The order can be easily remembered with the following left-to-right and top-to-bottom table:
| Level | Level | Example: C major | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | C | F |
| 7 | 3 | H | E |
| 6 | 2 | A | D |
| 5 | 1 | G | C |
Thus, in the first seven iterations, no chord is played twice. However, in practice rarely more than three iterations occur.
Decending thirds
Pachelbel sequence
The popular Pachelbel sequence is a descending fourth-third sequence.