A214 - Harmony - Part Writing

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Use
Avoid
  • Wherever possible use contrary motion between the treble and bass
  • Major chords should contain the root and the third, the fifth can sometimes be omitted
  • Sequences of chords whose roots are a 5th apart (upwards), or a 4th apart (downwards) produce strong chord progressions
  • In chords built from diminished triads, you must double the third of the triad
  • You may double the third in a minor triad
  • It is usually best not to double the third of a major triad
  • It is undesirable to bunch notes in the lower register
  • Be wary of progressions between chords whose roots are consecutive in the scale
  • Avoid writing parts which move in parallel octaves or fifths
  • In general it is better to be wary of progressions between chords whose roots are consecutive in the scale
  • Do not exceed an octave between alto and soprano
NB: These guidelines are for writing four-parts

From A214 Unit 8 and Unit 12

Last updated: 20 May, 2004