Click here for the handout.

---Alex

An extremely regular progression: seventh chords descending by thirds

• [Handout Ex. 1] Write a fundamental (root-position) bass and harmonize it with four treble voices.
• [Ex. 2] Turn each of the treble voices into a figured bass line.
  • Notice the consistent pattern of figures: ... 7 65 643 42 ...
• [Ex. 3] Harmonize each of these bass lines with the three leftover treble voices, in any voicing above the bass.

Variations

• [Ex. 4] Omitting every other chord, decent by thirds becomes descent by fifths, with two pairs of alternating figures:
  • 65 642
  • 7 643

The voice leading for these patterns descends smoothly, just like in the original pattern.

• Any combination of descending thirds and fifths is possible:
  • [Ex. 5] 65 642 7 65 642 7
  • 7 643 642 65 643 7 65 642 7 65 ...

Historical nerdity

• This exercise is good preparation for playing (and thinking) through the charts on pages 408--409 of Rameau's Treatise on Harmony.