THE COUNTERPOINT GAME – CANTUS FIRMUS, PART 3:
BALANCE, MELODIC TENSION, REPETITION, BEGINNING AND ENDING
An occasional change in the vertical direction of a cantus firmus creates musical interest, because BALANCE.
Following a leap, particularly after a leap of a Fifth (or larger), reversal of direction creates musical interest. Again, because BALANCE.
It has been said that unidirectional motion in a CF should be limited to five tones, but this is relative to the total length of the line. Logically, this longer CF on top tolerates a six-tone one-way motion at the end better than the shorter line below.
Even when we season a long, unidirectional line with a few skips, it is better to break it up with a brief change (or changes) in vertical direction. Because BALANCE. Compare the bland sound of #1 [mus] with the more satisfying line #2 beneath. Getting the idea?
Before going on, let us once more listen to some of the DISSONANT MELODIC INTERVALS of a Scale: [...]
Link to video about sequences:
REFERENCE WORKS CONSULTED
Salzer, Felix and Carl Schachter. Counterpoint in Composition: The Study of Voice Leading, pp. 3-12. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1969.
Mann, Alfred. The Study of Counterpoint, from Johann Joseph Fux’s Gradus ad Parnassum. New York: Norton, 1965.
Schubert, Peter. Modal Counterpoint, Renaissance Style, First Edition, p. 18. New York: Oxford, 1999.
Jeppesen, Knud. Counterpoint: The Polyphonic Vocal Style of the Sixteenth Century. New York: Dover, 1992.
PRIMARY SOURCE OF MISCELLANEOUS CANTUS FIRMI
Gradus ad Parnassum, by Johannes Fux (reprint of original, in Latin, published in 1725). Public Domain: http://imslp.org/wiki/Gradus_ad_Parnassum_(Fux,_Johann_Joseph)
FLICKR IMAGE CREDITS, in Order of Presentation:
Balance, by Natalie Lucier: https://flic.kr/p/6HBN2C
Vintage balance scale, by Colleen Smith [mods and commercial use allowed]: https://flic.kr/p/aGSh8r
HK Harbour, by Chor lp: https://flic.kr/p/8duFKv
Eagletail Mountains Wilderness, by Bureau of Land Management [AZ?]: https://flic.kr/p/fkKUrx
Stairway to nowhere, CA, by Delaney Turner: https://flic.kr/p/aRQBqP
Arboga river, by Arvid Rudling: https://flic.kr/p/84BSQ7
Cliffs of Moher, by Stephen Carter: https://flic.kr/p/9xSAX1
Minky Whale, by William Warby: https://flic.kr/p/dtS35s
Otakuthon 2014 – Final Fantasy VII, by Pikawil: https://flic.kr/p/oCitN9