Practice Cycles and Sequences

Sequences and cycles for practicing scales, intervals, melodic sequences and arpeggios.

Published: 06 Jan 2011 Updated: 11 May 2023Visits: 10Code: UL31seq

Category: PracticeInstrument: Music Subjects: Theory • Intermediate • Advanced • Jazz • Practice • Rock

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Practice Cycles and Sequences


Sequences and cycles for practicing scales, intervals, melodic sequences and arpeggios.

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These sequences also help in learning where any interval is of a given note, the chord tones of chords and aides in memorizing scales.

These cycles are based on intervals. An interval is a distance between two notes. You get this distance by counting the lines and spaces between the two notes, including both notes. The interval between C and E is a third.

An interval can be expressed generically. Such as, E is the third of C and specifically by including the interval type, E is the major third of…

Cycle of Thirds

With Thirds being the overwhelming interval used to create chords, we can use the Cycle of Thirds for quick access when learning the spell chords.

Looking at the cycle of thirds all chords built in thirds are going to be Some Sort of…

Example of ANY C major, minor, diminished or augmented triad.

  • C: C E G
  • Cm: C E♭ G
  • Cdim: C E♭ G♭
  • Caug: C E G♯
  • C♭: C♭ E♭ G♭
  • C♭m: C♭ E♭ G
  • C♭dim: C♭ E♭♭ G♭♭
  • C♭aug: C♭ E♭ G
  • C: C♯ E♯ G♯
  • Cm: C♯ E G♯
  • Cdim: C♯ E G
  • Caug: C♯ E♯ Gx (double sharp)

NOTE: — All some sort of the letters, C E G. Generically speaking, the First, Third, and Fifth of their corresponding major scale, based on the root of the chord. Hence, the need for double flats and double sharps — the letter MUST remain some sort of: C E G.

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