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Rimsky-Korsakov, Practical Manual of Harmony in English

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov · section 40 of 96

THE SEVENTH CHORD OF THE SECOND DEGREE and Its First Inversion

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§ 39. — 1) Of all the seventh chords of the second order, the most frequently used are the six-five chord of the second degree and its root position.

2) In perfect cadences, or in chord successions having the character of a cadence, these chords take the place of the sixth chord and the triad of the same degree.

3) The seventh must be prepared by the common note of the preceding triad of the first, fourth or sixth degree.

4) On moving to the chord of the fifth degree, the seventh descends to the third of that chord; on moving to the cadential six-four chord, the seventh stays in place, forming the fourth of that chord.

5) The six-five chord of the second degree may also be used after the sixth chord of the fourth degree (ex. d).

Second-degree seventh chord in C major, examples a)–d) (continued on the next page with e)–g))
Fig. 140 · See it in the reader
Second-degree seventh chord in C major, examples e)–g) (continuation of the preceding examples)
Fig. 141 · See it in the reader