Class 7: Four short low lines with (4/5) main cadences (№ 106−115)

The tunes in this class have the 4th or 5th degree for their cadence. One would easily jump to the conclusion that a higher second section will make traces of conjunct structures visible, that is, the register of the first part deviates from the register of the second – but that is not the case. What is frequent is the AB/AvC structure with the first and third lines being closely similar. We have already seen some structures like that in the apparently more archaic “domed” structures of Class 4. In build and character, these tunes resemble the tunes with the b3 main cadence in several regards.

Some melody contours are quite singular, e.g. concave first lines in № 107, 109 and 110, but the majority of the tunes descend conjunctly along the path designated by the cadences. Unlike the previous one, this class is widely varied, most groups only containing two, or at most three tunes. This class is practically a formal frame to keep together the tunes, so there is only an enumeration instead of an analysis below.

Group 7.1 has b3(4/5)b3 cadences. Two tunes, Ex.7.1 and № 106, belong here.

Group 7.2 also contains two tunes, Ex.7.2 and № 108 of Aeolian-Phrygian character, and № 113 moving a mixolydian scale. The cadences are 5/4(4)1/b3. The three melody outlines are quite different: Ex.7.2 displays a sequential descent, № 108 has two similar inner lines, and the first two lines of № 113 trace a finely rising hill.

The cadences of the three tunes in group 7.3 are 5(4)4/2. Two tunes have Aeolian-Phrygian character (Ex.7.3) and one (№ 114) has a major third in its scale. As will be seen, this cadential sequence is very frequent with jir tunes.