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Counterpoint - No. Of Leading Tones In The Cantus Firmus

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Hello, my friends

For ex, in the key of CMaj, is it allowed to have 2 or more B's in the Cantus Firmus?

Thank you

  • Author

This piece has, in Sibelius error list, 2 leading tones. I couldn't find any rule saying it is forbiden.

Hence my question.

post-11506-0-38399400-1329533245_thumb.j

The problem is most likely the tritone (otherwise called the diablo en musica) that you have created from having the B and F play at the same time. That breaks a major rule in counterpoint. In fact, you do it twice. Furthermore, the fourth that you create with those notes are considered "dissonances" so you'll need to change the interval to a consonant one (3rd, 6th, 8th, or 5th). The fourths you have seem to be a consistent problem.

You can only have one leading tone. As Morgri said, 4ths as well as 2nds and 7ths are not allowed. Contrary motion is preferred, but it is always convenient to use parallel motion when the interval is that of a 3rd or of a 6th.

http://www.box.com/s/lie1jchjnbis9f4do44e

Alex, I don't believe there is a rule that you can only use the leading tone (in this case b) once, but perhaps you can only use the leading tone as that function. In other words, Rbarate, you can use 2 b's in the cantus firmus, but the function as a leading tone may only be used once at the end.

  • Author
In other words, Rbarate, you can use 2 b's in the cantus firmus, but the function as a leading tone may only be used once at the end.

I'm using Sibelius and if I use a B in the middle of a Cantus Firmus he says there are two (or more) leading tones as if it is an error.

By other hand, if I don't resolve it to C, it creates another error. I couldn't find any information restricting the use of more than one leading tone but I also couldn't find any example of its application. :whistling:

Hmm... I should look up what Jeppesen says on that. Will do so later...

I'm using Sibelius and if I use a B in the middle of a Cantus Firmus he says there are two (or more) leading tones as if it is an error.

By other hand, if I don't resolve it to C, it creates another error. I couldn't find any information restricting the use of more than one leading tone but I also couldn't find any example of its application. :whistling:

This might be because the using the F and B at the same time creates sort of a leading to C major. If you use it the way that Alexander used it earlier, it should be fine.

  • Author
If you use it the way that Alexander used it earlier, it should be fine.

It gives the same error: two leading tones. :hmmm:

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