Principles of 4-Part Chorale Writing

April 5-I'm about to take more of your time as you read through something that you don't understand, but here it is anyway. These are just the very basics of four-part writing.

• Do not double the third
• No parallel 5ths or octaves between soprano and bass
• You MAY omit the 5th at a cadence if needed
• Avoid leaps in the tenor an alto parts (a leap is a jump of a 4th or larger interval)
• Do not write too high or too low for any part (G-C alto and bass, C-G soprano and tenor)

These rules were set in place by Johann Sebastian Bach over the course of his lifetime from 1685-1750. This is known as the Common Practice Period, and the rules created in that time are still kept in traditional composition.

Are you bored yet? Good.