Harmonic Analysis - Cycles

A Cycle is when there is an equal distance between roots (at least 3 chords) and the same species for each chord, ascending or descending.

Chords can ascend or descend by intervals of a minor seconds (m2), major seconds (M2), minor thirds (m3), major thirds (M3) or perfect fourths (P4). In order of common to least common *P4, m2, M2, m3, M3. A cycle of dominant seventh chords moving in perfect fourths (Chained Secondary Dominants) is an example the most common Cycle harmonic principle.

A Cycle is sometimes used as a means to modulation to a new tonality or key center.

WORKSHEET NOTATION: Bracket the chords of the cycle indicating the intervalic relationship between the chords. There is typically not a change in tonality or key center. m2 for Minor Second, M2 for Major Second, P4 for Perfect Fourth, P5 for Perfect Fifth, m3 for Minor Third, M3 for Major Third, etc…

The standard Watch What Happens contains a cycle for the first and second endings using major seventh chords a minor second apart.