- Play
the melody
- remember
the notes that are altered by the key signature
- Decide
on the key
- Write
out the triads
- on
both treble and bass staves
- use
letter names if that's helpful
- Analyse
the melody
for possible passing notes, and identify the harmony notes
- write
all possible chord choices below the stave-system, under each harmony
note
- Analyse
the phrase structure
- find
where the cadences come
- Harmonize
the cadence(s)
- look
for melodic formulae that suggest themselves, and look for opportunities
of using ii (or iib) before V or Ic
- Use
chord I
near the beginning (preferably on a strong beat) to establish the key
- Select
chords for the remainder
- remember
you can use first inversions as well as root positions
- aim
for a good shape to the bass line (not leaping all the time)
- remember
the chord-choice guidelines
- avoid
over-using the same chord
- Play
melody and bass together, check that this combination 'works'
- if
you find any consecutive fifths or octaves, change the chords (or
inversions)
- Fill
in the inner parts
- remember
the rules for forming chords
- Follow
through the melodies of individual parts,
checking each against each, and correct any consecutive fifths and octaves
- you
can systematically follow pairs of parts:
-
Soprano and bass
-
Soprano and alto
- Soprano
and tenor
- Alto
and tenor
- Alto
and bass
- Tenor
and bass
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