Good-sounding parallel 5ths

April 16, 2023

There are cases where parallel fifths sound good. Sometimes even very good. Are these good-sounding cases still "wrong"? An interesting question!

Today I was practising at the organ, playing through the Prelude and Fugue in G Minor, BWV 535, in which Bach wrote one of these good-sounding parallel 5ths.

What makes this particular case sound so good is the suspended fourth in the soprano. Bach made sure to move the bass in contrary motion with the inner parts. It should also be mentioned that he could have easily "corrected" the passage by raising the E, so that the fifths would be unequal. But he didn't do that, we would have to assume intentionally, because the sound would not be the same.

There are times when I've found parallel fifths in my own music, sometimes already published, and have "corrected" them in a second edition. My opinion on this has changed over time. I think this example shows that parallel fifths are not always "wrong".

Of course, it's my job to point out parallel 5ths to students, regardless of the exceptions. But, it's also part of my job to explain the exceptions. Once a student has advanced beyond making simple mistakes, whether something like this is "wrong" starts to become a more personal matter.

Ultimately, composers have to decide these things for themselves. Count Basie's "If it sounds good, it is good!" comes to mind, which I like, but which also needs a qualifier, because it's only relevant for those who can truly hear and understand everything that's going on. Only then does it become a matter of taste.

Peace,
Aaron