Diatonic Canons

A canon is a contrapuntal device where a melodic phrase is imitated in one or more parts. The imitations start at a predesigned delay of one or more measures. Subsequent phrases fit the harmonic structure of the initial melody.

1. Sing the melodies.

2. Perform with the indicated number of voices.

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The Praetorius example is a simple perpetual canon. The two-measure phrases continue indefinitely until stopped at the cadence point.

The first voice starts at the beginning, the second voice starts at the beginning when the first voice gets to “2”, and the third voice starts at the beginning when the first voice gets to “3.”

Realized version in 3 voices:

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