Music Transcription Polyphonic Transcription Techniques 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When voices cross in polyphonic music (the lower voice momentarily sounds higher than the upper voice), how should this be notated?
- Swap the stem directions so the higher-sounding note always has an up-stem
- Maintain the original stem convention for each voice regardless of pitch crossings (Correct answer)
- Write the crossing note in a different clef
- Add a small 'x' above the crossing notes
Correct answer: Maintain the original stem convention for each voice regardless of pitch crossings
Voice identity is preserved by stem direction, so even when voices cross, stems for each voice remain consistent — the original 'upper' voice keeps stems up even if it momentarily sounds lower.
Question 2: In Baroque counterpoint transcription, a 'stretto' entry refers to:
- A slower tempo section requiring whole notes
- Overlapping imitative entries where a new voice enters before the previous one finishes the subject (Correct answer)
- A passage where all voices move in strict homophony
- An ornamental trill shared between voices
Correct answer: Overlapping imitative entries where a new voice enters before the previous one finishes the subject
Stretto is a contrapuntal technique in which imitative entries overlap — a new voice begins the subject before the previous voice has completed it, creating a compressed, intensified texture.
Question 3: When transcribing a string quartet, the viola part is written in which clef?
- Treble clef
- Bass clef
- Alto (C) clef (Correct answer)
- Tenor clef
Correct answer: Alto (C) clef
The viola typically uses the alto clef (C clef on the middle line), which places middle C on the center line and reduces the need for ledger lines in the viola's common range.
Question 4: In open score for a string quartet, how many staves are used?
- Two staves
- Three staves
- Four staves (one per instrument) (Correct answer)
- Five staves
Correct answer: Four staves (one per instrument)
Open score assigns each independent voice or instrument its own staff, so a string quartet (violin I, violin II, viola, cello) requires four separate staves.
Question 5: A polyphonic texture in which two voices move in parallel thirds throughout is sometimes called:
- Heterophony
- Parallel motion or fauxbourdon-style writing (Correct answer)
- Oblique motion
- Contrary motion
Correct answer: Parallel motion or fauxbourdon-style writing
When two voices move together in the same direction maintaining consistent thirds, this is parallel motion; extended parallel thirds are characteristic of fauxbourdon and certain folk textures.
Question 6: When transcribing a fugue, the 'answer' to the subject is typically:
- An exact transposition of the subject to the dominant key (real answer) or a slightly adjusted version (tonal answer) (Correct answer)
- A new melody introduced in the relative minor
- The subject played backwards (retrograde)
- The subject played at double the speed
Correct answer: An exact transposition of the subject to the dominant key (real answer) or a slightly adjusted version (tonal answer)
In fugue construction, the answer is the second voice's entry, which transposes the subject to the dominant — either exactly (real answer) or with slight adjustments to preserve tonal stability (tonal answer).
Question 7: When two voices in a polyphonic transcription move in opposite directions, this type of motion is called:
- Parallel motion
- Similar motion
- Oblique motion
- Contrary motion (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Contrary motion
Contrary motion occurs when two voices move in opposite directions simultaneously — one ascending while the other descends — creating independence and balance between the voices.
Music Transcription Polyphonic Transcription Techniques 2
When voices cross in polyphonic music (the lower voice momentarily sounds higher than the upper voice), how should this be notated?