AS Bach Chorales

1
AS Bach Chorales

• List chords of given key (check is it major or
  minor?)
• Identify the key at the end of each phrase (pause
  mark)
• Decide on cadences at end of each phrase
• Label cadential chords
• Add approach chords to cadences
• Write out bass line
• Add inner parts
• General rule upper 3 parts high, bass part low
• Complete all missing chords in this way (looking
  at context what comes before and after!)
• Check for part writing, parallel 5th and 8ves,
  accidentals
• ALWAYS study Riemenschneider examples

2
Perfect Cadences

• Look at melody at cadence what degrees of the
  scale?
• Notes 2-1 or 7- 8 (2 crotchets) fit a perfect
  cadence.
• Will this be in home key or related key (dominant
  or relative major/minor)?
• Sketch out chords V I in root position in chosen
  key
• Follow instructions on page 1

3
Approach chords to Perfect Cadences

• Is the melody minim-crotchet 2-1? (or - less
  common - three crotchets 2-2-1?)
• Use iib7 V(7) I (ie two crotchet chords under
  minim or less common three crotchet chords)
• Is the melody crochet-crotchet-crotchet 8-7-8 OR
  3-2-1?
• Use Ic V(7) I
• From Ic to V is the only occasion Bach repeats a
  bass note, although usually he goes up or down
  the octave see Riemenschneider examples

4
Imperfect Cadences

• Look at melody at cadence what degrees of the
  scale?
• Notes 3-2 or 1-2 fit an imperfect cadence
• Final choice will depend on context what comes
  before and after
• Follow instructions on page 1

5
Imperfect Cadences(and their approach chords)

• Most common cadential chords are I V
• Approach chord most common is Vb or viib
• Try Vb I V or viib I V
• Other approach chords can be I, IV or VI
• Choose by finding contrast between approach chord
  and first cadential chord, and by harmonising
  melody in pleasing manner

6
Minor Chorales

• Chord V in a minor key should always be major
• Therefore you need to add accidental to 3rd of
  chord
• This is leading note in your key (new leading
  note if you have modulated)
• Final cadence end chorale with Tierce de
  Picardie (tonic major)

7
Bach Chorales FINAL Check

• Area your cadences in Root Position?
• General rule 3 parts high, 1 part low
• Final chords include 3rd and 5th as well as root
• Passing notes at perfect cadences (falling
  dominant 7th in tenor or alto as discussed)
• No parallel 5th or octaves and check accidentals,
  especially chord V in modulations
• If you have any chord NOT in root position,
  justify it
• The only second inversions you are allowed are
  passing 6/4s or cadential 6/4s (Ic V7 I)
• Everything you need to know is in my notes

8
Use of 6/4 chords

• Only use at cadences (CADENTIAL 6/4) or as part
  of a bass line moving by step (PASSING 6/4)
• Cadential 6/4 the 6th and 4th above the bass in
  chord Ic fall to the 5th and 3rd from the bass in
  chord V respectively. The 4th in the first chord
  should ideally be prepared as a dissonance.

9
Suspensions

• Preparation, suspension, resolution
• Preparation consonant, weak beat
• Suspension Dissonant, dissonant beat
• Resolution consonant, weak beat
• 4-3, 7-6 and 9-8 suspensions are idiomatic

10
4-3 suspensions

• Add to perfect cadence where there is minim 2-1
  or crotchets 2-2-1
• Take care to add accidentals to cadence as usual
  (if necessary)