The practice of

Renaissance improvisation

EXERCISES

4 voices with a 8/10 bassus - CF at the altus - with imitations

‍Rôles 

‍Roles 

• The altus sings the cantus firmus 

The superius sings in 3rds above the CF 

The bassus alternates 8ves and 10ths below the CF 

The tenor alternates 4ths and 3rds below the CF, in coordination with the bassus

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

Cantus firmus

level 3

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. 86

Notated cantus firmi : Practical handbook, p. 195

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