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Music Theory for the 21st-Century Classroom

Robert Hutchinson

Section 26.10 Special Situations

Avoid parallel fifths when the roots of triads are a second apart, as in the following examples:
  1. \(\left.\text{ii}^{6}\right.\) to \(\left.\text{I}^{6}_{4}\right.\) (see the first measure in the examples below)
  2. \(\left.\text{I}\right.\) to \(\left.\text{vii}^{\circ}{}^{6}\right.\) (see the second measure the in examples below)
Figure 26.10.1. Parallel fifths when roots are a 2nd apart
Figure 26.10.2. Parallel fourths as a corrective when roots are a 2nd apart
In any such situation where the roots are a second apart (even if the chords are inverted), revoice each chord so the 5th of the chord is below the root of the chord in the upper voices
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