The practice of

Renaissance improvisation

EXERCISES

4 voices with a 3/5 bassus - CF at the superius - with imitations

‍Roles 

• The superius sings the cantus firmus 

The altus sings a gymel in 3rds below the CF 

The tenor alternates 6ths and 5ths below the CF, in coordination with the bassus 

The bassus sings alternating 3rds and 5ths below the CF

The 4 voices imitate each other, especially at the beginning of phrases.

Cantus firmus

level 2

On a cantus firmus taken from the repertoire, in modern notation, singing with the words

level 3

On a cantus firmus taken from the repertoire, in early notation, singing with the words

Resources

Tutorials : Practical handbook, p. 80

Notated cantus firmi : Practical handbook, p. 209

Historical notated examples : SuperLibrum database



Banking information

 

IBAN: FR76 1027 8024 0700 0226 7920 184

BIC: CMCIFR2A

Account name: SUPER LIBRUM

© 2026 superlibrum

Follow us on

Instagram @superlibrum
Facebook