[ddots-l] Re: How to write four part vocal arrangement where some voices move and some don't
- From: "John Sanfilippo" <vze33fba@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <ddots-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 24 Oct 2007 09:13:50 -0400
Hi Kevin,
The short answer to your question is that you'd be surprised that you
need not worry too much about that if all are singing essentially the
same syllables. The multiple verses may get trickier. But usually, for
a given moment in time, if, say soprano1 has quarter, soprano2 has two
eighths, verse1 for that beat is "life", and verse two for that beat is
"Gather", I believe all the vertical alignment will be right. That is,
the first column, if you will, will appear top to bottom:
sop1 quarter, sop2 eighth, verse1 life, verse2 "ga-"
Next column:
sop1 blank space (or secondary cue note for "-ther" in second verse?))
sop2 second eighth note
verse1 dash or just the word life continuing
verse2 "ther"
Now, I've assumed that you have sopranos 1 and2. But if your parts do
not split, Your only concern, I believe is dealing with possible
rhythmic variations among the different verses, if there are any.
I'm not certain how to deal with that. I'd probably use voice1 vor the
soprano's quarter on "life" in verse1, and voice2 for the two eighths
required to sing "ga-ther" in verse2. Or just write 2 eighths tied
instead of a quarter.
But, With each part on its own staff, no splitting, rhythmic variation
is totally free. One part can rest 2 bars while the other has a stream
of eighths.
Now, if you're speaking of doing a piano reduction of 4 parts, say
hymnal style, the freedom I just spoke of will be tough to achieve,
unless the music is largely homophonic.
Having said all that, I must say, I'm no expert and I hope you'll get
another better informed opinion.
Regards,
John s
-----Original Message-----
From: ddots-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:ddots-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Kevin Gibbs
Sent: Tuesday, October 23, 2007 23:50
To: ddots-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [ddots-l] How to write four part vocal arrangement where some
voices move and some don't
Dear All,
I want to write a four part choral arrangement where some of the
voices move while singing the same syllable and others sing a single
note over that same syllable. If you're writing an SATB arrangement and
you choose the choir template so that each of the choir staves has voice
one and voice two, how do you write the verses under the text if one
voice per staff is moving where the other is stationary? Do you solve
the problem by writing the upper voice above the staff and the lower
voice below the staff? If that's the case, what happens if you have
three verses to the song?
Any help would be appreciated.
Kevin
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