Preliminaries
Use the following ranges for each of the four voices.
Hard Rules
- Resolve all tendency tones.
- Ti → do
- Except when using a free resolution.
- Except when frustrating the leading-tone in sequences.
- Fa → mi
- Except when using a free resolution.
- Le → sol
- Ti → do
- Avoid parallel perfect consonances (e.g., P1, P5, and P8) in all voices, including P5s or P8s by contrary motion.
- Perfect consonances in the outer voices (soprano and bass) must be approached through oblique or contrary motion. Breaking this rule creates hidden fifths or hidden octaves.
- Except when soprano moves by step.
- No more than an octave between:
- Soprano and alto.
- Alto and tenor.
- Avoid crossed and overlapped voices.
- In three-note chords, double the most logical chord member. Never double tendency tones as this will require you to break either rule 1 or 2. From most to least common, the doubling preferences are:
- Root
- Fifth
- Third