A Practical Treatise on Musical Composition (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1854 Excerpt: ... the strong divisions--that is to say, in its prolongation; and, in respect of its being thus consonant or dissonant, the syncopation is termed consonant or dissonant. 2nd. In consonant syncopation the passage from the syncopated 'Note may be by gradation or by skip, ascending or descending. In dissonant syncopation the movement from the syncopated Note must be by a conjunct degree descending; this, the resolution of the dissonance, throws the parts into concord an the weak division of the measures. And we may here observe that, in the rule which prescribes concords on the weak divisions of the measures, we have a provision for the preparation of the dissonance in syncopation, according to what is taught concerning suspension in a course of-harmony. 3rd. The syncopations which give a Sixth preceded by a Fifth, and those which give a Fifth preceded by a Sixth, may be employed in successive measures: classical authorities, however, have limited the use of them in a descending progression to two measures in succession; in the ascending progression no restriction is imposed. Note.--It is not easy to perceive the reason upon which this preference, given to the ascending 6-5 and 5-6 was founded; be it as it may, we have to bear in mind that, in two-part composition, the frequent use of perfect concords, without making any fault against the laws of harmonic progression, produces a feeble harmony; and, upon that ground alone, it ought, in our opinion, to be avoided. 4th. We must not employ those syncopations which place an octave on the strong division of the measure in two measures in succession. Dissonant syncopation is nothing else than the suspension of an essential member of the concord which must follow; and, according to the rule of suspension, the Note to b...