Music theory · Musical terms · Theory concepts
Parallel 5ths — meaning in music
Parallel 5ths is a musical term meaning Two voices moving in the same direction a perfect 5th apart — forbidden in classical 4-part writing. It is a theory concepts marking, first tested at Grade 3 in ABRSM, AMEB and Trinity music theory exams. From that grade on, every written paper expects you to know it on sight.
Definition
Two voices moving in the same direction a perfect 5th apart — forbidden in classical 4-part writing
Theory conceptsFirst tested: Grade 3
Translations
| French | Deux voix se déplaçant dans la même direction à une quinte parfaite l'une de l'autre — interdit dans l'écriture classique à 4 voix |
|---|---|
| German | Zwei Stimmen, die sich im Abstand einer perfekten Quinte in die gleiche Richtung bewegen – im klassischen vierstimmigen Satz verboten |
| Italian | Due voci che si muovono nella stessa direzione a una quinta perfetta di distanza - proibito nella scrittura classica in 4 parti |
| Spanish | Dos voces moviéndose en la misma dirección con una quinta perfecta de separación: prohibido en la escritura clásica de 4 partes |
| Chinese | 两个声音朝同一方向移动，相隔完美的五度音——在古典四声部写作中是被禁止的 |
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AllemandeAlto rangeAnacrusisAnswer phraseArcoBar lineBass clefBass rangeBinary formBourréeCello clefCello rangeChromatic semitoneCompound intervalCouranteCrotchet (US name)DemisemiquaverDiatonic semitoneDominantDominant (degree)Double bar lineDouble bass clefDouble flat (𝄫)Double sharp (𝄪)Doubling ruleDupletFinal bar lineFlatGavotteGigueHarmonic minor scaleImperfect cadenceInterrupted cadenceInversion of a 3rdInversion of a 4thInversion of a 5thLeading noteLeger lineMediantMelodic minor scale (ascending)Melodic minor scale (descending)Minim (US name)MinuetModulate to the dominantModulate to the relative minorModulationNaturalNatural minor scaleParallel 5thsParallel 8vesPerfect cadencePivot chordPizzicatoPlagal cadenceQuaver (US name)Question phraseReal sequenceRelative minor of C majorRelative minor of F majorRelative minor of G majorRepeat signSarabandeSemibreve (US name)Semiquaver (US name)SemitoneSequenceSharpSlurSoprano rangeStave (staff)SubdominantSubdominant (degree)SubmediantSupertonicTenor rangeTernary formTieTonal sequenceToneTonicTonic (degree)Treble clefTripletViola clefViola rangeViolin clefViolin rangeVoice crossingVoice overlap