Counterpoint MUC 213 – Dr Hirt

Da Capo Aria: Final Project

In Gmi. Or Dmi.
For Voice and Bass line with Continuo
I) Form
Brief introduction usually the
first phrase
Piango, gemo, sospiro e peno, In tonic Key (may use
A E la piaga rinchiusa è nel cor. tonicization)

Optional- Brief interlude w/

modulation,[to Dominant or
relative Maj. If in Minor]

Solo chiedo per pace del seno, [In Dominant or relative Maj.]
B Che m'uccida più fiero dolor.

Optional- Brief interlude w/

modulation back to tonic(home)key

Piango, gemo, sospiro e peno, Literal Repetition of A

A E la piaga rinchiusa è nel cor. In tonic key

Codetta Optional Concluding Phrase

Continuo only

In Dominant or relative Maj. If in Minor

Syllable division:
Pian-go, ge-mo, so-spi-ro e pe-no,
Pian-go, ge-mo, so-spi-ro e pe-no,
E la pia-ga rin-chiu-sa è nel cor.

So-lo chie-do per pa-ce del se-no,

Che m'uc-cida più fie-ro do-lor.

Translation:
I weep, I groan, I sigh, I suffer,
And the soreness is confined within my heart.

I only ask for the sake of my heart's peace

That an even more fierce pain should kill me.

II) Steps to compose

1) Create melody [use natural speech Rhythm] or harmonic prog. Mostly 2 or 4 bar
phrases an occasional 6 or 8 mea. phrase is possible but not probable.
2) Harmonize [pop chords above top staff] or melody
3) Write a bass line [ Roman numerals below the bass staff w/ figures]
4) Create Intro, interludes and coda [ primarily from existing phrases – voice rests]
5) These will be sung during final exam times- all voice majors are expected to sing
there own pieces and help out others in the class by singing their works. We will
need a Cello or Bassoon during this time. If we can’t find one the men in the class
will sing the bass lines, so keep them simple but defined.
III Form
.
Sectional form Intro A Interlude
Sub Form a-a’-b Mod. To dom.
(phrases) [a’ is optional] (minor key)
4 bars 4 bars each 4 or 6 bars
phrase

B Interlude {optional) A Coda

a-a’-b Mod. To tonic a-a’-b
[a’ is optional] [a’ is optional]
4 bars each phrase 4 or 6 bars 4 bars each phrase 4 bars

It is challenging to mod to the dominant in minor because there are only two common
chords.

Tonic d minor d–i eº - iiº F - III g – iv A-V VI - Bb viiº

Dominant a mi. iv xxx VI xxx xxx xxx xxx

Here are some suggested progressions [illustrated in dmi. But the same RN work in gmi]: