The Descending 7-6 Sequence

Grab your instrument, and try one of the most elegant sequences!

The Descending 7-6 Sequence.

  1. Play ① ⑦ ⑥ ⑤ in G major (the circled numbers are scale degrees).image
  2. Add the diatonic 3rd above each note (don’t worry if the 3rd are major or minor, just make sure they are diatonic 3rds). image
  3. Keep the 3rds. Above ① add a 5th then a 6th, hold the 6th as the bass moves to ⑦ and the 6th turns into a 7th. Let the 7th fall to a 6th. Do it again, hold the 6th as the bass moves to ⑥ and the 6th turns into a 7th. Let the 7th fall to a 6th.image
  4. Keep this pattern going and you’ve got a descending 7-6 sequence! Keep the bassline going down by step past scale degree ⑤ and keep repeating the same 7-6 pattern above the bass notes.

Are you up for a challenge?

Try transposing the descending 7-6 sequence to A minor and F major.

  • To transpose, all you have to do is replace “G major” with any other key.
  • If you are transposing to minor, use the natural minor scale.

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