EXTEMPORE PLAYING - online tutorial

40 Lessons in how to correctly play improvisations.

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	LESSON V
	The III Chord The III is rare and weak. Some theorists have main­tained that it cannot be used at all; this, however, is obviously incorrect, and inconsistent with the practice of composers. Its weakness is clearly due to its remote­ness from the tonic, being the fifth step in perfect fifths from that centre. It has a thin, plaintive effect, suggest­ing old-world reminiscences and Phrygian associations. Used with discretion, it is a valuable addition to the material at present available. One of its more obvious uses is to harmonize the seventh step in descending. When the V is used for that purpose the effect is unsatis­factory, since it cannot be followed by the IV, and VI is improbable, e.g.,
	Ill may go to IV, VI or II (?). Ill may follow I, VI or V.
	The following are illustrations of its use:
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