What are Parallel Fifths?

Parallel fifths occur when two musical voices move in the same direction while maintaining the interval of a perfect fifth between them from one chord to the next. This means that if the first pair of notes forms a fifth, and both voices move together so that the next pair of notes also forms a fifth, the motion is considered parallel fifths.

In traditional classical counterpoint and harmony, parallel fifths are generally avoided because they weaken the independence of the voices. Since perfect fifths are very strong and stable intervals, moving them in parallel can make two separate lines sound as if they are merging into a single voice rather than remaining independent.

Although parallel fifths were traditionally restricted in Renaissance and Baroque counterpoint, they are commonly used in modern music styles such as rock, film scoring, and contemporary composition. In these contexts, the sound of parallel fifths can create a powerful, open, and distinctive harmonic texture.