Playable BooksREADING EDITIONS
Rimsky-Korsakov, Practical Manual of Harmony in English

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov · section 17 of 96

Succession of Sixth Chords of the First, Fourth and Fifth Degrees with the Triads of the Same Degrees

Read and hear this section in the playable edition →

§16. 1) In sixth chords, double the root or the fifth of the root.

2) Do not connect two sixth chords in succession.

3) The connection of the sixth chord with the triad (of the various degrees) must be strictly harmonic. The common note stays in place, and the melodic motion of the other upper parts does not exceed the interval of a third.

I–V6–I twice: the common note stays in place (tied) and the other upper parts move by step or third
Fig. 72 · See it in the reader

4) Doubling the third in the sixth chord is permitted when the three upper parts stay in place and the bass rises by thirds.

Doubled third in the sixth chord: the three upper parts stay in place while the bass rises by thirds, C–E–G
Fig. 73 · See it in the reader

5) The melodic interval of a sixth in the bass is permitted when passing from the triad to the sixth chord, but not from the sixth chord to the triad. Melodic intervals of a seventh are forbidden.