|
Back to Blog
Partwriting is an essential skill for every music theory student, but it’s also one of the most challenging. From selecting the right chords to creating effective voice-leading, there are so many factors to consider when partwriting. In this article, we'll provide you with some useful tips and tricks to help you master the art of SATB writing, and get the grades you deserve.  1. Start with the Chords: The first step in successful part-writing is selecting the right harmonies. If you’re given the bass line and figures, then there is only ONE correct solution for the Soprano, Alto, and Tenor voices. If the part writing exercise is more creative, such as harmonizing a Soprano melody, or composing a 4-bar phrase that ends in a cadence, then you need to decide on logical harmonies to use. Most teachers care about the ORDER of the chords: for example, V chords are usually not allowed to move to IV chords, because Dominant cannot move to Predominant. So many SATB rules to worry about! Do not skip this step: you need to decide on which chords to use, and in what order. 2. Focus on Voice Leading: Once you have your chords planned, it's time to create good voice leading. Voice leading refers to the way that the individual parts (such as Soprano, Alto, Tenor, and Bass) move from one chord to the next. Make sure that each line in your four part harmony moves smoothly and logically, with no awkward leaps or clashes. It gets better with practice, but there are many rules to remember: did you know that the chordal seventh MUST resolve down by step, or that you can’t double the 7th of the scale? You also can’t have any parallel octaves or fifths. You can’t double the chordal seventh of a harmony, and suspension tones can’t be doubled either…you can’t omit the third of a chord, but you can omit the fifth…but an inverted 7th chord must be spelled completely… So many rules in SATB music theory! It’s no surprise that so many students need help from Expert Music Theory.  3. Double Check the Assignment: Did your teacher ask you to include at least one passing tone, chromatic chord, or to end on a half cadence? Check the exact instructions, and make sure that you have the correct note durations, and the Soprano and Tenor voices have their stems up, while the Alto and Bass voices have their stems down. 4. Get Expert Help: Partwriting can be a challenging skill to master, and it's not always easy to get the grades you want. Unfortunately, there is no good online SATB part writer or SATB calculator, because every professor and textbook has different requirements and rules for SATB writing. That's where Expert Music Theory can help - our team of professional music theory experts can complete all aspects of your homework, assignments, and exams. With our help, you are guaranteed to achieve the grades you deserve.  By following these tips and tricks and seeking expert help when needed, you can master the art of 4-part harmony and achieve the grades you deserve. The truth is, partwriting can be very confusing for many students, and is full of difficult SATB rules and exceptions.
Remember, Expert Music Theory is ALWAYS here to help - contact us today to learn more about our professional music theory homework help services. Comments are closed.
|
