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This is a piece from the 16th century by Thomas Tallis called "If ye love me".

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I started by coloring the sentences in the different voices to make it more visible to me. I think this was a good way, but then I started analysing the chords. This worked out for the first line (in red, at the top | first picture), but when the voices unsynchronize, it becomes a total mess (2nd picture). Any other ideas on how to analyze this?

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    What's messy about it? (Looks good to me) Apr 4, 2018 at 14:32
  • I've never done an analysis like this but if you say that's the way to go, thanks :)
    – user45165
    Apr 4, 2018 at 14:36
  • Handwriting and coloring skills aside, I assume your concern is the “messiness” of your harmonic analysis—the harmony no longer “lines up” as neatly as it did in the first 4 bars. It might be worth reading other questions that have been asked regarding harmony and counterpoint:
    – Neal
    Apr 4, 2018 at 14:44
  • For instance: 3535; 25267; 38637; 6423
    – Neal
    Apr 4, 2018 at 14:44
  • Thanks, that's what I was looking for, I guess I was searching for the wrong keywords^^. From what I understood, it makes more sense to analyze this in a matter of Counterpoint and less in a matter of chords, correct?
    – user45165
    Apr 4, 2018 at 14:49

1 Answer 1

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The first 4 bars are homophonic. Chordal analysis is appropriate. Then it goes polyphonic. The intervals between the voices are of interest, the chords they form less so.

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  • Thanks, one last question: I've never analyzed Counterpoint with more than 2 voices. What is more important: the interval to the Bass note or the note below the one I'm analyzing? Or both?
    – user45165
    Apr 4, 2018 at 18:26
  • The whole thing. But the driving force with be the intertwining voices, imitating and contrasting with each other melodically and rhythmically. Though each moment will still probably form an analysable chord, it doesn't matter so much WHAT chord it is!
    – Laurence
    May 4, 2018 at 22:40

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