Part Writing Errors

Parallel fifths Consecutive fifths

˙ ˙˙
& ˙˙ ˙˙ ˙ ˙
˙
˙˙ ˙
˙
˙˙
˙ ˙˙ ˙
? ˙˙ ˙˙ ˙
{ ˙˙ ˙
The parallel motion of any pair of voices
˙
˙
The contrary motion of any pair of voices
˙˙

that create parallel fifths. that create parallel fifths.

Direct fifths Direct octaves

˙ ˙˙ ˙ ˙
& ˙ ˙˙ ˙ ˙ ˙ ˙ ˙˙
˙ ˙
˙ ˙ ˙˙ ˙˙ ˙˙ ˙ ˙
? ˙ ˙˙
{ ˙
The similar motion of the outer voices The similar motion of the outer voices
˙ ˙
by skip or leap to a perfect fifth. by skip or leap to a perfect octave.
* Direct octaves are only permitted when the two
chords are the same.

Beat-to-beat fifths Beat-to-beat octaves Unresovled leading tone Incomplete chords

œ ˙˙ ˙˙ ˙˙ ˙˙ ˙˙ ˙˙
& œ˙ ˙˙
œ ˙ ˙˙
? ˙˙ ˙˙ œ ˙ ˙˙ ˙
{ ˙
down beats. The attempt to breakup parallel 5ths/8ves by
˙
The parallel motion of any pair of voices to successive strong
˙
When the leading tone is
in the soprano voice it must
These triads must contain
the third.
adding another interval in between them is only acceptable resolve.
within sequences.

Incorrect Spacing Voice cross Voice overlap

˙˙ ˙ ˙ ˙ ˙
& ˙˙ ˙ ˙ ˙˙ ˙˙
˙ too far ˙
too far
˙ ok
˙ ok ˙ ˙˙ ˙˙
? ˙˙ ˙
{ ˙ ˙ ˙
The distance between tenor and alto, and alto and soprano
must an octave or less. The distance between bass and tenor
˙
The alto crosses the
tenor voice.
˙˙
The bass overlaps the tenor.

must not exceed a 12th.