Topmusicanswers
Situations other than consecutive fifths create contrasting melodic lines, melodies that are different from each other. Consecutive fifths by contrary motion are generally avoided, meaning parallels may not be corrected by moving one part up or down an octave.
- What is a consecutive 5th?
- Are contrary fifths okay?
- Why are consecutive 5ths bad?
- Did Bach ever use parallel fifths?
What is a consecutive 5th?
Consecutive 5ths often sneak in when there are two root position (5-3) chords next to each other. ... In the second chord, they are also a perfect fifth apart. When there are perfect 5ths in the same two parts one after the other, we call them “consecutive 5ths”.
Are contrary fifths okay?
Partwriting Rules are Counterpoint Rules: 1) Avoid parallel unisons, fifths or octaves – this is to preserve the independence of the voices. 2) Avoid Contrary Octaves or Fifths – this happens when we move from a fifth to a twelfth or an octave to a fifteenth.
Why are consecutive 5ths bad?
In this style, known as the Common Practice Period, parallel fifths and octaves tend to leave a blank space, or a gap, in the musical texture (the overall sound) as if a voice has disappeared. This is why, in this context, parallel fifths are bad.
Did Bach ever use parallel fifths?
Bach does not write stepwise chordal parallels. There simply are none. All stepwise parallels involve NCTs rather than being chordal consecutives. All chordal parallels (there are only 2, and both are fifths) involve leaps.
