[ddots-l] Re: How to write four part vocal arrangement where some voices move and some don't

MessageKevin,

Continuing on with these good suggestions, once you've put two parts on each 
stave, stems up and stems down, using Sibelius, then add lyrics above and below 
the staff to represent the voicing for each of the parts. You'll end up with 
two staffs in the system, two voices on each staff, and 4 lines of lyrics. Add 
some separation between the staves to allow room for the adjacent lyrics. 

Dave

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: John Sanfilippo 
  To: ddots-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 
  Sent: Thursday, October 25, 2007 5:57 AM
  Subject: [ddots-l] Re: How to write four part vocal arrangement where some 
voices move and some don't


  they are separate, independent parts. I believe you said, each part is on its 
own staff. You have nothing to worry about. Just make sure you put the proper 
dashes because that's what tells the software how many notes go with what 
syllable.

  js


  -----Original Message-----
  From: ddots-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:ddots-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On 
Behalf Of Kevin Gibbs
  Sent: Wednesday, October 24, 2007 12:49
  To: ddots-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
  Subject: [ddots-l] Re: How to write four part vocal arrangement where some 
voices move and some don't


  John,
      What I mean is that in verse one, Soprano has a quarter and Alto has two 
eighths on the same identical syllable.  What happens in verse one when that is 
the case?
  Kevin
    -----Original Message-----
    From: ddots-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:ddots-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On 
Behalf Of John Sanfilippo
    Sent: Wednesday, October 24, 2007 8:14 AM
    To: ddots-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
    Subject: [ddots-l] Re: How to write four part vocal arrangement where some 
voices move and some don't


    Hi Kevin,

    The short answer to your question is that you'd be surprised that you need 
not worry too much about that if all are singing essentially the same 
syllables.  The multiple verses may get trickier. But usually, for a given 
moment in time, if, say soprano1 has quarter, soprano2 has two eighths, verse1 
for that beat is "life", and verse two for that beat is "Gather", I believe all 
the vertical alignment will be right. That is, the first column, if you will, 
will appear top to bottom:

    sop1 quarter, sop2 eighth, verse1 life, verse2 "ga-"

     Next column:
    sop1 blank space (or secondary cue note for "-ther" in second verse?)) 
    sop2 second eighth note
    verse1 dash or just the word life continuing
    verse2 "ther"

    Now, I've assumed that you have sopranos 1 and2. But if your parts do not 
split, Your only concern, I believe is dealing with possible rhythmic 
variations among the different verses, if there are any.  

    I'm not certain how to deal with that. I'd probably use voice1 vor the 
soprano's quarter on "life" in verse1, and voice2 for the two eighths required 
to sing "ga-ther" in verse2. Or just write 2 eighths tied instead of a quarter.

    But, With each part on its own staff, no splitting, rhythmic variation is 
totally free. One part can rest 2 bars while the other has a stream of eighths.

     Now, if you're speaking of doing a piano reduction of 4 parts, say hymnal 
style, the freedom I just spoke of will be tough to achieve, unless the music 
is largely homophonic.

    Having said all that, I must say, I'm no expert and I hope you'll get 
another better informed opinion.

    Regards,
    John s


     -----Original Message-----
    From: ddots-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:ddots-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On 
Behalf Of Kevin Gibbs
    Sent: Tuesday, October 23, 2007 23:50
    To: ddots-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
    Subject: [ddots-l] How to write four part vocal arrangement where some 
voices move and some don't


    Dear All, 
            I want to write a four part choral arrangement where some of the 
voices move while singing the same syllable and others sing a single note over 
that same syllable.  If you're writing an SATB arrangement and you choose the 
choir template so that each of the choir staves has voice one and voice two, 
how do you write the verses under the text if one voice per staff is moving 
where the other is stationary?  Do you solve the problem by writing the upper 
voice above the staff and the lower voice below the staff?  If that's the case, 
what happens if you have three verses to the song?  

            Any help would be appreciated.  
    Kevin

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