Lesson 11 Root Movement by Third
Part I - Root movement by third
The final category of root movement is that of a third.
This gives opportunity for many common tones among chords separated by a third. For example:
C - E - G
A - C - E
This is true for ANY two chords where the root is a third apart. This means that when voicing the chords, two voices can hold the same pitches while the other two voices change around them.
In the first example, the I and vi chord are separated by a third. In the second example, the I chord and the iii chord are separated by the third.
Part II - The subtonic triad
This triad is most often found in the minor chord progression in the iteration: i-VII-III-VI-ii°-V-i
Here it is in c minor:
This gives opportunity for many common tones among chords separated by a third. For example:
C - E - G
A - C - E
This is true for ANY two chords where the root is a third apart. This means that when voicing the chords, two voices can hold the same pitches while the other two voices change around them.
Fig.1 two examples of root movement by third in C Major
Listen:
Part II - The subtonic triad
This triad is most often found in the minor chord progression in the iteration: i-VII-III-VI-ii°-V-i
Here it is in c minor:
Fig.2 the Subtonic triad in c minor.
Listen:
