6 Tips for Two Part Writing
Two part writing occurs when one staff is used for two different instruments, voices, or melody/harmony lines.
Four part writing occurs when two staves are used for four different instruments, voices or melody/harmony lines!
As a Teacher for over 40 years (YIKES!), I have noticed how more "sophisticated" music has become - especially for our Elementary Level Students.
Composers seem to enjoy challenging students with some two part writing in their compositions. However, the theory concepts of writing music in Two Part Writing are different from the "normal" rules for music.
In this Blog, we are going to look at 6 Tips for Two Part Writing.
Here is an example of Two Part Writing that highlights the 6 Tips for Two Part Writing that I want to share with you today:
Two Part Writing Tip #1 - Slurs
Slurs are written above the staff for Voice #1 and below the staff for Voice #2. Do not cross through any stems or beams when writing a slur.
Two Part Writing Tip #2 - Rests
When a rest is used in only one of the voices, the rest is written above the staff for Voice #1 or below the staff for Voice #2.
When a rest is used in both of the voices, the rest is written above the staff for Voice #1 and below the staff for Voice #2.
It is important that each "voice" (part, instrument, etc.) has the correct rhythm.
Two Part Writing Tip #3 - Harmonic 2nd
For a Harmonic 2nd when one note is in Voice #1 and the other note is in Voice #2, it is important that the stems "line up vertically". So, the lower note head will not be to the left of the stem (as would be written in a Harmonic 2nd when written in "Keyboard Style").
Remember - in 2-Part Writing, the note for Voice #1 is written with a stem up, the note for Voice #2 is written with a stem down and the the stems line up vertically.
Two Part Writing Tip #4 - Dotted Notes
There is a rule for dot placement for notes in a single melody - the dot is written to the right of the notehead, in the space beside a space note and in the space above the line for a line note.
When writing music in 2 parts, the rules change slightly:
- For Voice #1/Upper Voice, the dot is written to the right of the notehead, in the space beside a space note and in the space above the line for a line note.
- For Voice #2/Lower Voice, the dot is written to the right of the notehead, in the space beside a space note and in the space BELOW the line for a line note.
Two Part Writing Tip #5 - Articulation Marks
Articulation marks (signs to indicate touch, like staccato, tenuto, marcato, etc.) are usually placed in the first empty space closest to the notehead (and opposite to the stem). However, in Two Part Writing, articulation marks are placed:
- For Voice #1/Upper Voice: above the staff and the stem.
- For Voice #2/Lower Voice: below the staff and the stem.
Pop Quiz - Can you name the Articulation Mark in each of the 7 measures? (Bonus - can you PLAY each of the Articulation Marks?)
Here are the answers:
- Measure 1: Staccato
- Measure 2: Staccatissimo (or Spiccato)
- Measure 3: Marcato
- Measure 4: Accent
- Measure 5: Tenuto
- Measure 6: "Tenuto and Staccato" (also indicated by adding staccato dots under a slur marking)
- Measure 7: Fermata
Two Part Writing Tip #6 - Harmonic 1st
In Two Part Writing, there must be a note or rest for each voice. Thus, when both voices play the same note, there must be two notes shown (one for each voice)! Just like with the Harmonic 2nd, the stems will line up vertically.
What do you notice about the dots for Harmonic Intervals of a first? Did you notice that the Harmonic 1st written in a space only has one ONE dot? This is simply because placing 2 dots in the space beside the notehead would create something called a "double dotted note", and that is something completely different.
So - one shared dot for a Harmonic 1st written in a space. When the Harmonic 1st is written on a line, there are two dots - one in the space above for the upper voice and one in the space below for the lower voice.
Two Part Writing - Any Other Questions?
If you have any other questions about Two Part Writing, do not hesitate to contact me.
Theory IS the foundation of music. The Ultimate Music Theory Series will meet all your theory needs.
For beginner students, and those students in the beginning levels of their Method Series (or in Prep A, Prep B or Level 1 RCM), start them in the Ultimate Music Theory Prep 1 Rudiments Workbook.
Also start with the UMT Prep Level Supplemental Book to meet the criteria of the new RCM 2016 Theory Syllabus.
For students in the more advanced levels of their Method Series (or in Level 2 RCM up to Level 7 RCM), start them in the Ultimate Music Theory Basic Rudiments Workbook.
Also start with the UMT Level 3 Supplemental Book to meet the criteria of the new RCM 2016 Theory Syllabus.
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Shelagh McKibbon-U'Ren
Thank you for the tips shared on two-part harmony. What about determining which note of a chord to harmonize each note in the melody. Any rule guiding that?
Thanks for this helpful post. Are there rules of harmony, meant for TWO part ?
Harmony has LOTS of rules! The Ultimate Music Theory Supplemental Workbooks are the books to use to create that foundation in 2-part Harmony writing.