This week we are going to start a new series realizing authentic classical partimenti! Our first partimento will be Nicolo Zingarelli’s first from his libro primo (book 1). Take a look, try playing the whole thing through a couple times.
Free Partimenti Lesson
For the next few weeks we will be studying this bassline and creating all sorts of counterpoint above it. After the last week of working on this bassline, send me a score or a recording of your full creation for a chance to win a 45-minute partimenti lesson with me!
Also, as we go, feel free to send your recordings or scores of your creations! I will be happy to comment on them.
Try This!
This week lets work on the first phrase.
- First figure out what the scale degrees of the bassline. Even though the bassline is moving by leap we are using chords from the Rule of the Octave.
- Try adding the harmonies above the bass. Add a 5th, a 3rd and an 8v (you can always add an octave to any chord) above ①. Continue each chord one by one adding the intervals above the bass. Notice above ④ you have the option of a 5th and a 3rd or a 5th, 3rd and a 6th. See which one you like better, neither is right nor wrong, your taste will help you decide!
- Now try these lines of counterpoint above the bass.
- How about this one
- Or this one
- Now try making different lines of counterpoint against this baseline.
- Last, now that you’ve gotten to know this small part of Zingarelli’s bassline, go through the whole thing once again. Are there any spots that resemble the bassline you just worked on? Try playing with those too!
Send me a recording or a score of your creation above this bassline. I look forward to hearing them!
Quiesenza
Next week we will take a detour from the Zingarelli series to see a Quiesenza up-close and orchestral, composed by a living, breathing, email-receiving composer.