harmonic progression

American  

noun

Mathematics.

1. a series of numbers the reciprocals of which are in arithmetic progression.

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harmonic progression British  

noun

1. a sequence of numbers whose reciprocals form an arithmetic progression, as 1, 1/ 2 , 1/ 3 , …

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harmonic progression Scientific  

1. A sequence of quantities whose reciprocals form an arithmetic progression, such as 1, 1/3, 1/5, 1/7, …. and so on.

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Etymology

Origin of harmonic progression

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

To achieve this, producers make sure that the songs vary in instrumentation, harmonic progression and dynamic levels when placed next to one another.

From Salon • Dec. 13, 2021

"His chorales always have four voices: each carries their own melodic line, creating a rich harmonic progression when played together," writes Google.

From Time • Mar. 21, 2019

A subtler figure, associated with Catholic ritual, is a harmonic progression that combines a tonic chord with a triad on the flattened sixth degree: say, A-flat major against E major.

From The New Yorker • Oct. 15, 2018

When chords blur together it becomes almost impossible to make sense of harmonic progression.

From New York Times • May 28, 2013

He started them off at once on four-part harmony over a figured Bass, making his pupils write each part on a separate stave in order to impress on them the need for accurate harmonic progression.

From Johann Sebastian Bach by Forkel, Johann Nikolaus