ALERT 1--Style Periods and Approximate Dates:

• Middle Ages: 500-1430
• Renaissance: 1430-1600
• Baroque: 1600-1750
• Classical: 1750-1820
• Romantic: 1820-1900

ALERT 2--Voice Leading Rules of Thumb:

• Retain the common tone in the same voice
• Move by step in the same voice

ALERT 3--Melodic Line Considerations:

• Avoid augmented intervals, 7ths, and intervals larger than a P8
• Conjunct motion should be used primarily
• Diminished intervals must be followed by a stepwise change of direction
• Observe tendency tones
• Melodic intervals larger than a P4 are usually best approached and left in the direction opposite to the leap
• When smaller leaps are used consecutively in the same direction, they should outline a triad

ALERT 4--Harmonic Progression Diagrams

ALERT 5--Basic Doubling Rules for First-Inversion Triads:

The order of preference from most preferred to least preferred:

• Double the soprano with an inner voice
• Double the bass with an inner voice
• Double the outer voices
• Double the inner voices--LEAST PREFERRED!