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GENERAL FORMULA FOR GRADING PART-WRITING
The total number of points given for most part-writing exercises equals approximately three points per chord (or four points per
chord for most melody harmonizations, because they’re harder). A seven-chord figured bass exercise, for example, would be
worth 21 points. From this total, points are subtracted based on how serious an error is. The common errors are grouped below.
Three-point errors
parallel fifths or octaves
missing root or third
“retogression” (e.g., V-IV)
impossible harmonization
(e.g., 2̂ as given bass note
harmonized with I)
really terrible use of 64 chord
omitted chord (i.e., blank)
Two-point errors
unresolved dissonance
poor/weak progression with no
change of function (e.g., iiIV)
doubled dissonance
inappropriate use of 64 chord
bad direct fifth or octave
improperly resolved leadingtone in an outer voice
consecutive (“antiparallel”)
fifths or octaves
inappropriately weak cadence
One-point errors
doubled leading-tone
unraised 7̂ in minor
improperly resolved leadingtone in an inner voice
moderately bad direct fifth or
octave
wrong note (each)
missing note (each)
omitted fifth for no apparent
reason
incomplete inverted chord
voice crossing
unprepared dissonance
bad melodic interval (A2, A4,
seventh, etc.)
missing seventh or added
seventh (i.e., triad was
specified)
excessive leaping in upper
parts that is avoidable
large leap with no change of
direction after it
harmonic prolongation from
weak beat to strong beat
root-position diminished triad
voice out of range
Half-point errors
bad spacing
voice overlap (no penalty if
difficult to avoid)
If you ever find the grading unclear or if you think there may have been a mistake, please don’t hesitate to ask for a clarification or
a correction.