Suggested Learning Resources
http://kris.shaffermusic.com/musicianshipResources/fourthSpecies.html
- A suspension occurs when a pitch of a consonant harmonic interval is held
(often over the barline in the case of counterpoint exercises) while the other voice
moves. The suspended tone then resolves downward by step. There are three parts
to every suspension (1) the preparation, which is the harmonic consonance prior to
the suspension (2) the suspension, which usually forms a dissonant interval, (3)
the resolution, the result of the suspended note moving down by step into a consonant
harmonic interval
- A dissonant suspension is the most common type of suspension. It involves
a dissonant “suspended” interval moving to a consonant harmonic interval. If the
suspended note is in the top voice, the dissonant suspension types could be 4-3,
7-6, or 9-8 … where the first number dissonant interval (above the bass) and the
second number is the resolve consonant interval (above the same bass). If the suspended
pitch is in the bass voice, then the common dissonant suspension type is a 2-3.
- A consonant suspension is where both the suspended interval and the resolution
interval are both consonant. If the suspended pitch is in the upper voice the consonant
suspension type is 6-5. If the suspended pitch is in the lower voice, the consonant
suspension type is 5-6.
- If you follow a suspension with the same type of suspension, that is called
creating a chain of suspensions. The common chain of suspension types are 4-3, 7-6,
and 2-3. The other suspension types are note found in chains as they imply parallel
5th or parallel octave motion.
Objective 14.2: Define, Identify, label, and notate the following embellishments
- suspension, dissonant suspension, consonant suspension, chain of suspensions