A Crash-Course In Writing Fugues

Great work, JLG! A clear and concise introduction to the world of fugues!

The tonic/dominant/tonic/dominant pattern is standard. Occasionally, depending upon the harmonic/modal implications of a subject, a tonal answer in the sub-dominant is acceptable, but it's rare.

A few years ago, when I was just starting out with all of this fugue business, I tried a tonic/subdominant/tonic/subdominant pattern for the exposition. Even though the rest of the fugue was solid, the faulty exposition made it difficult for the ears to "zone in" on the tonic.

Do you have an example, or reference for me to seek out, where a subdominant tonal answer is acceptable? - BE

I thought I just saw one in Alfred Mann's "The Study of Fugue," but now I can't find it.

Lee, I've listened and looked and plan on implementing this as soon as I get a chance.

I love you! *kiss*

I need to give J.Lee the credit he's due. I ignored his advice and wrote a fuge on the Cm theme (well - partially, anyway-unfinished) - with an exposition that followed a Tonic-Mediant-Tonic-Dominant format. Needless to say - Tonic doesn't feel like home. Mediant does, for some reason.

Here it is for example sake.

My revolutionary days are over.

Thanks J Lee.

That's horrible.

Lee, what have you done?!?

I rather enjoyed your fugue, Paul.

Thank you Chris, I like it too - but it still does lack that strong central tonality that J. Lee alluded to in his answer to me.

This is why "the rules" are what they are...our forebears in composion crossed all these bridges before us, and we have the benefit of their experience if we pay heed.

Paul, I'm going to try to find the MIDI to the Agnus Dei of my Missa Brevis today or tonight and post it. I'll listen to what you've posted when I'm not at work, prolly tonight!

Chris, my pleasure.

I'm sure someone's asked this already, but I don't want to look everywhere for the answer...

J. Lee, why do you post your scores in that weird, quasi-neume notation?

I'm not sure what you're seeing on your end, but it's standard modern notation. Was that a dig at Finale's font? Or maybe you're commenting on what Acrobat does to it?

I'm talking about the pdf files. I get little boxes everywhere instead on notes.....
Same thing with your other stuff, like from the chorale challenge.
I thought you were just eccentric or something.

By the way, have you listened to my treatments of your melody #1 in "harmonize a melody?"