Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov · section 16 of 96

Exercise No. 1 (given melodies)

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Model: a given melody harmonized with I, IV and V in C major — Fig. 66 · See it in the reader

§ 14. b) When realizing given basses:

1) In the melody, prefer stepwise motion.

2) Always let the leading note rise. To do this, connect harmonically to the tonic chord the chord of the fifth degree that lies beneath the leading note.

V–I in C major: good when the leading note B rises to C; bad when it falls to G — Fig. 67 · See it in the reader

3) At the end of the exercise, so that a leading note in one of the inner parts can rise in a melodic connection, the final tonic chord may be incomplete — that is, with three tonics and no fifth:

Final V–I with an incomplete tonic chord (three Cs and an E, no fifth), so the leading note in an inner part rises — Fig. 68 · See it in the reader