TwoVoice Writing with Black Notes

1
Two-Voice Writing with Black Notes

• Consonant and Dissonant Idioms

2
Black Notes

• Extended passages of black notes is not uncommon.
• However, the density decreases as more voices are
  added.
• If the notes are consonant then simply follow the
  basic melodic procedures.

3
Dissonance with Black Notes

• Unaccented Passing Tones occur as a Semiminim on
  the off-beat.
• They can ascend or descend.
• They must pass against at least a Minim in
  duration.
• Accented Passing Tones occur as the first of a
  pair of Semiminims on the weak beats.
• They always resolve down stepwise.
• The filled-in Cambiata is the only exception to
  the pair rule.

4
Dissonance with Black Notes

• Dissonant Auxiliaries occur as a Lower Neighbor
  on any off-beat (no UN).
• Portamentos are usually consonant, but there are
  some exceptions.
• The most common use is to ornament suspensions.
• However, they are not used in the suspension
  before the final cadence.

5
Dissonance with Black Notes

• The second note of the Nota Cambiata can be
  either consonant or dissonant (Escape Tone).
• This is the only dissonance that involves a leap.
• The 1st and 3rd tones of the figure must be
  consonant.
• Fusas are always found in pairs.
• They are most commonly used to ornament
  suspensions, especially at cadences.
• The second note acts as a dissonant Lower
  Neighbor.
• If the first of the pair is dissonant, the motion
  is always down.

6
Dissonance with Black Notes

• Suspensions are a white note device, but there
  are some black note idioms often ornamenting the
  suspension.
• An Accented Passing Tone against the preparation
  in the opposite voice.
• A Portamento or pair of Fusas ornamenting the
  resolution.
• A pair of ascending Semimimims to the
  preparation.
• The rare instance of a pair of Semiminims
  ascending and on a strong beat.