Bon Journal

Parallel fifths and unresolved sevenths

There are some don'ts in composition that I don't understand. "No parallel fifths and no unresolved sevenths."

Debussy uses parallel sevenths and creates a unique colour of impressionistic music. Pop songs often use parallel fifths. So why should such a rule exist for classical composition?

"It just doesn't sound good," said a composer. "The ear wants to hear the resolution of a seventh chord."

We are not living in Bach's era where rules dictate how a piece should end in a cadence.

If we violate "old" rules enough times, what we do becomes acceptable.

Composing new music is about experimenting with sound. There are no rules.

23 March 2004 Tuesday

Related entries:

Composing the Suite Bussum

Composers talk

Original compositions of Anne Ku

More journal entries on composing - just search for "compose" on Bon Journal or analyticalQ.com