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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four-part_harmony
Four-part harmony
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Contents
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four-part_harmony
the tenor, and the bass would be lowest. When two voices harmonized in perfect intervals, they
were forbidden from staying in the same perfect harmony in the next chord, also known as moving
in parallel. Another rule concerns authentic cadences. In such cadences, the leading tones are
required to resolve to the tone a half step away. That is, the voice that plays the 7th must also play
the resolution up to the tonic, and if the fifth chord is a dominant seventh, the fourth must resolve
down to the third. These rules are still obeyed now in strict four part harmonizations, although most
compositions now apply less strict forms of voice leading. [4][5]
Genres
Barbershop quartets, originally from English-speaking North America, usually consist of four
men or women who sing first tenor (called tenor), second tenor (called lead), baritone, and
bass parts. A barbershop quartet typically sings with extra focus on emphasizing or
exaggerating the harmonies in a piece of music, rather than singing in quiet supporting roles.
The supporting voices can provide counter-melodies, close harmonies, or a walking bass to
the melody line, which is sung in a middle voice. The harmonies are typically rooted in the
chromatic aesthetics of early 20th-century popular music.
Cantu a tenore is a Sardinian style, traditionally sung by men, wherein the second highest
voice sings the melody, which the other voices accompany with a chant using nonsense
syllables.
The gospel quartet of the United States sings Christian material of a similar style to
barbershop quartets, but may also include spirituals and traditional hymns.
A Croatian klapa consists of four male parts, sometimes doubled, with the melody sung freely
by a middle voice.
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high notes, or faster notes, that only a more experienced musician can play well.
See also
Chorale
Hymn tune
References
1. Benward & Saker (2003). Music: In Theory and Practice, Vol. I, p.159. Seventh Edition. ISBN
978-0-07-294262-0.
2. McKinney, James (1994). The Diagnosis and Correction of Vocal Faults. Genovex Music Group.
ISBN 978-1-56593-940-0.
3. Boldrey, Richard (1994). Guide to Operatic Roles and Arias. Caldwell Publishing Company.
ISBN 978-1-877761-64-5.
4. "Basic Concepts of Four-Part Writing". Earlham College Music.
5. Smey, Dave. "Important Rules for 4-Part Progressions" (PDF). Dave Smey. Retrieved 19 September
2016.
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