@johannsebastianbach
From the Lord's grace, I have been blessed with a profound understanding of musical harmony and structure. On this platform, I shall impart the methods I have employed to craft divine compositions, lead congregations in song, and teach the intricate art of music to new generations. May this knowledge serve to uplift and unite all who seek to create beauty and order through sound.
Crafting Four-Part Harmony for the Community Choir
February 10th 1731
I shall here provide a method for the proper ordering of voices in communal song. Music, when rightly ordered, reflects the divine harmony of God's creation. By teaching a group of singers, even those of modest ability, the fundamental principles of voice leading and harmonic structure, we may create a sound that is both beautiful and edifying. This is not mere entertainment; it is the vital work of building concord and offering praise, turning a gathering of individuals into a unified chorus. Follow these precepts diligently, for discipline in this art yields a transcendent reward.
You will need:
A company of singers, separated into four groups by natural vocal range: Soprano (high female), Alto (low female), Tenor (high male), and Bass (low male).
A simple, well-known melody, or 'Cantus Firmus', to serve as the foundation upon which our harmony is constructed.
A reliable source of pitch, such as a tuning fork or pitch pipe, to ensure a true and common starting note for all.
A designated leader, or Cantor, to beat the time and guide the singers' ears and voices.
A spirit of diligence and patience, for harmony is built not in an instant, but through attentive repetition.
1. Establish the Foundation: The Bass Line
The Bass voice is the bedrock upon which the entire structure rests. The Cantor must first devise a simple, strong bass line that supports the melody, typically moving from the root of one chord to the next. It must provide a clear harmonic direction. Let the Bass singers learn this part until it is secure and unshakeable.
2. Assign the Melody: The Soprano Voice
The given melody, our Cantus Firmus, is entrusted to the Soprano voices. They must sing it forth with clarity and conviction, for it is the thread that the listener follows. Have them sing it alone, then with the Bass line, so they may hear how the foundation supports the theme.
3. Construct the Outer Frame
Practice the Soprano and Bass parts together, repeatedly. These two outer voices define the harmonic space. The singers must learn to listen intently to the interval between them. A solid frame is essential before the inner chambers of the structure can be completed.
4. Add the Alto: The First Inner Voice
Now, add the Alto part. Its line should be smooth, moving by the smallest possible steps to fill the harmony. It must avoid moving in parallel octaves or fifths with any other voice, for this is the mark of crude and artless work. Place its notes to create pleasing thirds and sixths against the Soprano or Bass.
5. Complete the Chord: The Tenor Voice
Finally, introduce the Tenor. Like the Alto, its purpose is to complete the harmony with a graceful and independent line. It often moves in contrary motion to the Soprano or Bass. Listen carefully to the full chord; each of the four notes must have its proper place and be in tune.
6. Refine the Voice Leading
Sing a phrase slowly. Does any inner voice leap awkwardly? If so, find a nearer note to smooth the line. Each vocal part, even the humble Alto or Tenor, should be a melody in its own right. This is the secret to a fluid and satisfying texture. There must be no idle notes.
7. Perfect the Cadence
The end of each musical phrase, the cadence, must provide a sense of rest and resolution. Practice the final two chords of a phrase until they feel conclusive and unified. The final chord should be a moment of perfect, resonant stillness.
8. Unify the Ensemble
With the notes learned, the true work begins. The choir must now learn to breathe as one body, to shape the vowels as with one mouth, and to end each note with a single will. The Cantor must guide this, transforming four groups of singers into one instrument.
9. Dedicate the Work
Remind the singers of the purpose behind their efforts. This music is for the enrichment of the community and the glory of God. Let this intention inform the sound, filling it with a spirit beyond the mere correctness of notes. Soli Deo Gloria.
Rate this Method