(musicTheory2) Lecture Notes: Harmonic Sequences of 7th chords, Ch. 23

Using 7th chords as part of a harmonic sequence brings up a few things to remember:

• If all the chords are 7th chords, then the sequence will almost always be by descending fifths.
• If the texture is 4 voices, then successive 7th chords will have to alternate between being Complete and Incomplete (fifth omitted).
• Always resolve the chordal 7th down by step.
• Inversions of the 7th chords are possible, but usually limited to [4/3 – 7]alternations, and [4/2 – 6] alternations. (2nd inv. 7th to root pos. 7th, and third inv. 7th to first inversion triad). [6/5 – root position triad] is also possible, and shows up in the homework.