Suspensions

Here’s a chain of descending thirds:

If we rhythmically displace the lower voice, we get this:

SUSPENSIONS!
 Most common patterns of suspensions

6 3 2 3 2 3 2 3 2 3 2 3 1

Note how both end with the ‘cadence formula’

 Most common patterns of suspensions

3 6 7 6 7 6 7 6 7 6 7 6 8
 Most common patterns of suspensions

6 7 6 7 6 7 6 7 6 7 6 7 6 8
Listen: Corelli Trio Sonata op. 4/1, “Allemanda”
How to do it:
Which part is given?
Do you need to write the on-beat notes, or the suspended notes?
In sum (descending suspensions)
If the upper voice moves on the beat, the chain of suspensions
will probably be 2-3.

If the lower voice moves on the beat, the most likely option is
7-6.
Upward-moving suspensions sequences

0 2 3 3 0 2 3

Unisons on beat 2, moving to a 2-3 suspension on beat 3

Listen: Corelli, op. 4/11, “Allemanda”

Or, the more interesting variety:
1. Upward scale alternates between parts

2. Extend notes by a beat to create dissonances

3. Resolve the suspensions downward, and add a cadence at the end

1 2 3 2 3 2 3 2 3
Listening:
Pergolesi, “Stabat Mater”
Try these two short examples: