harmonic progression

noun

: a sequence of numbers whose reciprocals form an arithmetic progression

Examples of harmonic progression in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Produced with admirable restraint by Justus West, the track paints a stark picture with rugged guitar lines, electronic loops, and a stunning harmonic progression in the middle verse. Ernesto Lechner, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 2024 The last movement sprawled across two LP sides, and the break between them fell at a bad moment, in the middle of a harmonic progression. Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 30 Nov. 2022 The circular harmonic progression — which returns again and again to the same emotional climax — pushed forward with direction, adding momentum to our imagining of the opera’s trajectory. Luke Schulze, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Nov. 2022 The harmonic progression is difficult to pin down as major or minor, but there is an unmistakable dark and menacing quality to the music. Rosy Cordero, EW.com, 31 Oct. 2019 But the rest of the music breathes a highly individual romanticism filled with a lyrical ease, bold harmonic progressions and other wonders that look ahead to Anton Bruckner’s sacred choral works. John Von Rhein, chicagotribune.com, 23 Mar. 2018 David Charles Abell favored quick tempos, which sometimes glossed over instrumental sonorities or trenchant harmonic progressions that, when brought out, are great clues to story and character. Peter Dobrin, Philly.com, 16 Sep. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'harmonic progression.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1671, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of harmonic progression was in 1671

Dictionary Entries Near harmonic progression

Cite this Entry

“Harmonic progression.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/harmonic%20progression. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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