Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov · section 13 of 96

Forbidden Motions

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§ 12. 1) The rules of harmonic and melodic connection have the following consequences. Two triads cannot be connected in the same melodic position:

I–V with both chords in octave position: parallel fifths and octaves, then fifths and octaves by contrary motion (bracketed and marked 5 and 8) — Fig. 62 · See it in the reader

The parallel fifths and octaves, and the fifths and octaves by contrary motion, that arise in this case are strictly forbidden to the pupil; parallel unisons come under the same rules:

Two-part illustrations, bracketed: parallel fifths, fifths by contrary motion, parallel octaves, octaves by contrary motion, parallel unisons, and unison to oct — Fig. 63 · See it in the reader

2) Among the motions forbidden to the pupil are also all augmented intervals, and therefore the step of an augmented second in the harmonic minor and major modes:

Augmented seconds F–G♯, G♯–F, A♭–B, B–A♭, each marked 1½ — Fig. 64 · See it in the reader