Lesson 8, Part Writing with Root-Position Chords
In context, the word "voice" does not necessarily mean that the music is to be sung. It simply means that there are more than one melodic strand, each of which are called a "voice." They fit together to make up pat of a larger texture.The process of creating a multi-voice texture is called part writing.
In general, there are four voices to write for: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, and Bass.
In general, the order goes like this: Soprano on top, Alto directly below Soprano, Tenor directly below Alto, and Bass on bottom.
Fig.1 part writing voices
Listen:
Part II-Open and close structure
Close structure, the notes are arranged so that there is not more than a fifth between voices.
Fig.2 Close structure
Listen:
Open structure- where there is more than a fifth between two or more voices.
The Xs indicate chord tones that have been skipped.
Fig.3 Open structure
Listen:
Part III- Voice Ranges.
In general, voices should stay within these ranges. Of course there are exceptions.
Also voices should not cross meaning for example. the Alto is higher than the soprano. The ranges do overlap quite a bit, however they should not cross.
Fig.4 Vocal ranges
Part IV-Part writing practices.
Parallel intervals of a fifth and octave are frowned upon when part writing. Here is an example of parallel octaves in part writing
Fig.5 Parallel octaves
Listen:
When writing repeated chords, it is good practice to alternate between close and open structure.
Fig.6 Repeated chords.
Listen: