SATB Decoration
Here is an SATB hymn tune Pansies, Lilies, Roses which is not decorated: To make it a little more rhythmically and melodically interesting, we can add unaccented passing notes between …
SATB Voice Leading
The four voices in SATB writing have different characteristics. In fact, 4-part music has three separate layers. The topmost layer is the tune, found in the soprano part. The lowest …
SATB Doubling, Omissions & Spacing
Doubling When a three-note chord is used in four-part harmony, one of the triad notes must be used twice. This is called “doubling” a note. The doubled note can …
SATB Harmony
Introduction to SATB Harmony Chords are often written for four separate voices, parts or instruments, because a 4-note chord makes a richer sounding chord than a three-note chord. This is …
Q1a | Chords to Accompany a Melody
Writing Chords to Accompany a Melody The first question in the ABRSM grade 6 theory paper asks you to provide a chord progression for a given melody. You are given …
Consecutive 5ths and Octaves
When two parts form a harmonic interval of a perfect 5th, this should not normally be followed by another perfect 5th between the same two parts, in Classical harmony. This …
Leading Notes and 7ths
Voice Leading Leading Notes The behaviour of the leading note is crucial to writing good harmony, and good compositions. The 7th degree of the scale is called the “leading note” …
Augmented and Diminished Intervals
Aug/Dim Melodic Intervals If the interval between one note and the next in a tune is an augmented or diminished interval, the interval is dissonant and needs to be treated …
Conjunct and Disjunct Motion
Conjunct Motion Stepwise movement is called “conjunct” movement and is the most common type of movement found in all styles of music. Conjunct movement is the easiest to sing, and …
Voice Leading
What is Voice Leading? The term “voice-leading” refers to the way a line of music moves up and down. (It is also sometimes called “part-writing”.) Voice-leading helps us to answer …