Until now we have worked with rather technical assignments.

Now the time has come to start with rhythmically more interesting possibilities.

As examples we take some two-part compositions, called bicinia (plural of bicimium).

Hard Rules

1. When a consonant half note on a downbeat is followed by two stepwise descending quarter notes, the first may be dissonant
2. When two quarters on a downbeat are followed by a half, the half must be consonant
3. The dotted whole may only occur on a downbeat
4. The dotted half may occur only on the downbeat or the second or the second half-note beat and it must be consonant
5. Never tie from a weak quarter
6. No single value equivalent to 5, 7 or 9 quarters may be used
7. Eigth notes may be used in pairs on the weak quarter beats in stepwise passing or lower neighbor motion
8. The suspension figure may be embellished by an anticipation of the resolution

Text

1. Jubilate Deo, omnis terra 

2. Servite Domino, Servite Deo in laetitia

Write a two part piece with two sections, after the second one the first returns, so we get a three part form.

Jubilate Deo by Orlando di Lasso PDF

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