Proper 4-part harmony software

Chords, scales, harmony, melody, etc.
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stanlea wrote: It's just a way to call a 4 voice part following "classical" rules
Why is this desirable? Not trying to be a dick here...actually curious.

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Just to sound right, without musical mistakes. But rules are there to be respected or broken, it's up your choice. There are other systems so called jazz or whatever else.
You can't always get what you waaaant...

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pinki wrote:
jancivil wrote: Frankly if one needs this in order to do that one is not really ready to do that. That whole post sounds like you're doing a commercial.
I know how to do 4 part-voice leading and harmony, and it's laborious and this makes it less laborious. I did the hard work years ago!

If you want to whip yourself that's up to you! :)

As stanlea says, it's a tool, nothing more.
who's whipping? Evidently you don't enjoy the work? So, I can't relate to that, you know. Why are you doing 'correct 4-part writing' except to master the craft of it? what is the point to this? Do you have an interest in selling the product or something?

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stanlea wrote:jancivil, you're well know for your opinions about harmony software, composition helpers, and so on. I really understand what you say and why, but I feel it's like someone complaining against the invention of the bike.
Of course, no software will replace a good trained ear, a clever mind and so on. In my view, harmony and composition software are just helpers. They can't make a good composer, but they can help to understand things. They can also give bad habits. In brief, they are tools, no more.
if you really understand what I'm saying, why color it as a silly complaint in the same sentence?! The concern I have is that I see more and more in society this leaning on a machine; in the interest of being in a hurry, or as I see now from 'pinki', the task is too arduous to do even if you know how! :scared:

Recently I was teaching someone 4-part writing, more or less by the book (but the idea of a teacher here is to show a difference between being automatic and means to an end, which might break a rule; did you know that JS Bach has been known to have 'covered fifths' sometimes? where avoiding them wouldn't work...). I hadn't looked at that kind of correction in some years and I was rusty and slow. I'm glad I 'whipped' myself, rather than having the machine do my exercise, it's a matter of being fit.

But I must be wrong for here, the real point of KVR is to sell software, so shill away! :)

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jancivil wrote:did you know that JS Bach has been known to have 'covered fifths' sometimes?
Indeed. One of the ironies of teaching 4-part harmony, in which almost everyone uses Bach's Chorales as a model, is that Bach broke every single one of the "rules" at one time or another, and many of his Chorales would actually "fail" a typical school examination for doing so!

Incidentally, if anyone is looking for a good book on four-part harmony, I recommend this (get it half price if you agree not to photocopy it).
Unfamiliar words can be looked up in my Glossary of musical terms.
Also check out my Introduction to Music Theory.

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Jancivil I take your point and it's valid. I think my view is also however, without being accused of being a slave to a machine.

You could say the same arguments against grid-based drum-machines...the joy is in the journey of learning to drum etc etc... but they have their place. Sometimes I want that sound. Sometimes I want that sound of a chorale and frankly can't spot some of the errors. If this makes me in some way inferior because I have to resort to a piece of software to spot my mistakes (book...what's the difference??) then so be it.

(btw accusing me of trying to flog their software is silly.... and unnecessary)

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The Hammer and Chisel today is a different set of tools, but it's main purpose is the same, to create art.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AnnO8SGKJY

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Just using tools to create music.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmO8bNpmw10

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The end result of customized Logic 9 Environment Macros aka tools :D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KB8bY2PNKgA

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Using the tools for creating another starting point to work with...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIszyCl_WoE

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Cellos low, violins high, harp in all ranges, pad/bell high. :D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKtGdg-W_8w

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Again, just showing how tools can help you in the creative process.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgN4k3lEghs

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