Harmonizing Cadences?

Hi,

I recently followed a link in the lessons section, to a site by the name of TonalityGuide. Here I downloaded the attached document where I must complete the harmonising of each cadence. Having never done so before I would like to seek some guidance on how to approach it. What special considerations should be made, and how best to harmonize a cadence when only the alto is presented? Any help gratefully received.

Regards

1.Cadences following the melodic pattern 3-2-1.pdf

Well, considering the usual rules of four part writing, I don't think that the harmonization of the alto voice is any different than any other voice. The usual problems are wrong positions, sometimes one voice melody requires a certain type of position, usually when voices are in higher registers it calls for an open position. Of course, parallel fifths and octaves, hidden fifths and octaves, doubling of the thirds, are all forbidden in classical four part harmony as I'm sure you know. Crossing of the voices can usually happen if you're a beginner especially with the tenor and alto. The easiest way to get good at it is to just do as many exercises as you can, there is really no way around that. Practice really does make perfect.

That's a fair point, then practice I shall!

Those look like soprano parts to me.

How I would do it is to fill in the bass notes first, since you already know what chords and inversions you want to use. Then do the other two voices, making them as smooth and well-spaced as possible while keeping in mind the notes doubled.

Well, your first example is in Eb major, so you have the scale Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb, C, D, and the chords on these degrees:

I - Eb Major (Eb, G, Bb)

ii - F minor (F, Ab, C)

iii - G minor (G, Bb, D)

IV - Ab Major (Ab, C, Eb)

V - Bb Major (Bb, D, F)

vi - C minor (C, Eb, G)

vii - D diminished (D, F, Ab)

As you possibly already know that the I is the "tonic", the IV is "subdominant" and V is "dominant" harmony. These are the main chords (and main functions) of the major scale.

Let's see the first example: g, f and eb notes (soprano voice).

If you take a look at the list above, it will be obvious that

- you can harmonize note g (3rd scale degree) with I, iii or vi,

- note f (2nd scale degree) with ii, V or vii,

- and note eb (1st scale degree) with I, IV or vi.

Using main functions only, you have the choice between I-V-I and I-V-IV progression.

At this point, you should know that generally there are 4 types of cadences:

V-I perfect cadence

-V imperfect cadence

V-vi deceptive cadence

IV-I plagal cadence

Since this excercise is about cadences, only the first progression (I-V-I) is acceptable.

Using only chords in root position, you can easily write in the bass: Eb-Bb-Eb.

I'm sure that you can now fill in the inner voices (alto and tenor) by yourself.

Good luck!

Well, your first example is in Eb major, so you have the scale Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb, C, D, and the chords on these degrees:

I - Eb Major (Eb, G, Bb)

ii - F minor (F, Ab, C)

iii - G minor (G, Bb, D)

IV - Ab Major (Ab, C, Eb)

V - Bb Major (Bb, D, F)

vi - C minor (C, Eb, G)

vii - D diminished (D, F, Ab)

As you possibly already know that the I is the "tonic", the IV is "subdominant" and V is "dominant" harmony. These are the main chords (and main functions) of the major scale.

Let's see the first example: g, f and eb notes (soprano voice).

If you take a look at the list above, it will be obvious that

- you can harmonize note g (3rd scale degree) with I, iii or vi,

- note f (2nd scale degree) with ii, V or vii,

- and note eb (1st scale degree) with I, IV or vi.

Using main functions only, you have the choice between I-V-I and I-V-IV progression.

At this point, you should know that generally there are 4 types of cadences:

V-I perfect cadence

-V imperfect cadence

V-vi deceptive cadence

IV-I plagal cadence

Since this excercise is about cadences, only the first progression (I-V-I) is acceptable.

Using only chords in root position, you can easily write in the bass: Eb-Bb-Eb.

I'm sure that you can now fill in the inner voices (alto and tenor) by yourself.

Good luck!

Thanks again for your time :)

I'm going to spend much time perfecting this craft. I have gathered considerable resources, so I'll work on those before I ask any more questions. Again, the responses here have been most fruitful and very much appreciated.

Kind regards

Marcus