The smaller ones should always be preferred to the larger…
““The smaller ones should always be preferred to the larger; i.e., rather than having the bass ascend or descend a sixth, we should have it descend or ascend a third, since ascending a third is the same as descending a sixth, just as ascending a sixth and descending a third, ascending a fifth and descending a fourth, or ascending a fourth and descending a””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Prefer smaller musical intervals over larger ones because they create smoother, more natural melodic motion.
In simple terms: Use small steps in music.
Key Takeaway
Compose with gentle interval jumps.
Themes
music
composition
theory
Mood
analytical
reflective
Type
educational
technical
When to use this quote
- songwriting
- instrumental practice
- orchestration
Key Concepts
intervals
melodic flow
harmony
Questions to Reflect On
- When should larger intervals be used?
- How do small intervals affect listener emotion?
A Different Perspective
Complex passages may require larger leaps for contrast.