1. Four Part Writing
Rule #1:
Know thy range, and stay in it!

2. Know thy range, and stay in it!
Four Part Writing
Rule #1:
Know thy range, and stay in it!
Soprano and
Tenor stems go UP
Alto and
Bass stems go DOWN

3. Four Part Writing
Rule #2:
Know your characters.
Bass:
Rule breaker. Supplies
harmonic function.
Soprano:
Diva. Gets the melody.
Alto and Tenor:
Boring. The less they move, the better.
Tenere – “to hold”

4. Between the bass the soprano, especially.
Four Part Writing
Rule #3:
COSP!
Between the bass the soprano, especially.
Contrary
Oblique
Similar
Parallel
NO Parallel 1, 5, or 8.
The ear hears this as 3 part instead of 4.

5. Here, the tenor becomes higher than the alto.
Four Part Writing
Rule #4:
Don’t confuse the ear.
A) DON’T CROSS VOICES
Here, the tenor becomes higher than the alto.
Then the ear doesn’t know which voice is which.

6. Here, the alto moves higher than the last soprano note
Four Part Writing
Rule #4:
Don’t confuse the ear.
B) DON’T OVERLAP
Here, the alto moves higher than the last soprano note
Also, the tenor moves higher than the last alto note

7. (One octave for two voices, two octaves for three voices.)
Four Part Writing
Rule #5:
Watch space except for bass, no more than “One for two, two for three.”
(One octave for two voices,
two octaves for three voices.)
4th = OK
10th = NOT OK
Oct + 5th = OK
Oct + 6th = OK
3rd = OK

8. Double root first, 5th second, 3rd with reason. Never “fa” or “ti”.
Four Part Writing
Rule #6:
Double root first, 5th second, 3rd with reason. Never “fa” or “ti”.
A chord in second inversion (6) should always double the fifth. 4
Why? Because it functions as a V chord. (5th)

9. A chord in second inversion (6) should always double the fifth.
Four Part Writing
A chord in second inversion (6) should always double the fifth. 4

10. A chord in second inversion (6) should always double the fifth.
Four Part Writing
A chord in second inversion (6) should always double the fifth. 4

11. Four Part Writing
Rule #7:
Resolve the tension.
Ti  Do
Fa  Mi
7th chord: the 7th resolves down

12. On these rules, thou shalt be quizzed.
Four Part Writing
On these rules, thou shalt be quizzed.
Repetitively.
And it will be FUN!!!!

13. Recognize the Errors

14. Recognize the Errors

15. Recognize the Errors