Music theory definition
Parallel fifths
Two voices a perfect 5th apart moving to another perfect 5th. Avoided in classical style because the voices blend into one.
What to avoid, and why
- No or
- No voice crossing
- rises home
Learn it in context
This term is introduced in Unit 12: Melody and voice leading. Work through the explanations and exercises to connect the definition with music.
- Rules of the road
Parallel fifths, octaves, crossing, and the leading tone.
Related music terms
- Voice leading
- How each individual line moves from one chord to the next.
- SATB
- Four-part writing for soprano, alto, tenor, and bass voices.
- Non-chord tone
- A melody note that doesn't belong to the chord underneath it.
- Passing tone
- A non-chord tone that fills a gap by step between two chord tones.
- Neighbor tone
- A non-chord tone that steps away from a chord tone and back.
- Suspension
- A note held over from the previous chord that then resolves down by step.