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Topic: completing SATB  (Read 4009 times)

Offline quaver

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completing SATB
on: April 12, 2009, 01:09:09 AM
I am in the key of G major.  I have a soprano and bass notes and I have to complete the chorale for four voices.  The first is an incomplete measure and is a I chord. (fait accompli) The second measure in the soprano voice is G-A-B-A all intervals of a second.  The bass voice is E-D-G-D.  I am trying for a progression of IV-V7-I-V.  I can't get the V7 to resolve as it should (raise the 3rd and lower the 5th and 7th).
By making it a V only I am running into consecutive 5ths. I also am running into a linear augmented 4th. I have juggled the notes, tripled the bass note where possible but I  don't seem to be getting anywhere with this one.  Any ideas?

Offline m19834

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Re: completing SATB
Reply #1 on: April 12, 2009, 01:28:58 AM
Well, I seriously might need more information.  How many measures total, and what is actually given (ie, what CAN'T you change) ?  And, could you please tell me the registration for whatever pitches are given ?

When you are writing for SATB, you want to consider a few different things.  One is voice range for each voice, another is spacing between voices, and then of course you don't want overlapping voices or voice crossing.

Also, I like to start at the end first (because of the need to resolve the tendencty tones) and then the beginning, with the bass line and soprano line first, then filling in the middle.  Also, I am not sure what you mean by :

I can't get the V7 to resolve as it should (raise the 3rd and lower the 5th and 7th).

What needs to resolve are the tendency tones within the scale, found within the V7 chord.  So, the 4th scale degree (7th of the chord), resolves DOWN to the 3rd scale degree (also the chordal 3rd in a I chord).  The 7th scale degree (the chordal third -- maybe that's what you meant by raising the third ?), Leading Tone, needs to resolve up to tonic.  I think it's safer to think in terms of the scale degrees, since you need to make those same resolutions for a vii diminished chord, but they are located differently within the chord structure than within the V7 chord.

Offline m19834

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Re: completing SATB
Reply #2 on: April 12, 2009, 01:38:40 AM
I am trying for a progression of IV-V7-I-V.

Does it actually end with a Half Cadence, on the V chord ?  Or is there another measure ?  Yeah, more information, please !  :P

Offline quaver

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Re: completing SATB
Reply #3 on: April 12, 2009, 01:39:40 AM
Thanks for reply.  This may take a while for me to digest.  However it is late at night now and tomorrow a houseful of guests coming for Easter dinner.  So I'll try again another day.  Cheers.

Offline m19834

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Re: completing SATB
Reply #4 on: April 12, 2009, 01:40:27 AM
Thanks for reply.  This may take a while for me to digest.  However it is late at night now and tomorrow a houseful of guests coming for Easter dinner.  So I'll try again another day.  Cheers.

I see, so it *DOES* end with a half cadence  :P.

Offline keyofc

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Re: completing SATB
Reply #5 on: February 23, 2010, 05:56:00 AM
lol!
catching up here!

Offline point of grace

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Re: completing SATB
Reply #6 on: February 23, 2010, 05:10:56 PM
I see, so it *DOES* end with a half cadence  :P.
or a Picardy third ;D
Learning:

Chopin Polonaise Op. 53
Brahms Op. 79 No. 2
Rachmaninoff Op. 16 No. 4 and 5

Offline prometheus

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Re: completing SATB
Reply #7 on: May 01, 2010, 03:15:41 AM
Try writing it backwards. Sounds like you need to adjust the way you voice the IV chord or something so you can avoid parallels. You need contrary motion in moving from IV to V.
"As an artist you don't rake in a million marks without performing some sacrifice on the Altar of Art." -Franz Liszt
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