A tonal answer is used when the subject modulates to maintain the key. It alters intervals so the answer modulates to the tonic rather than further away. Guidelines include modifying where the dominant occurs and changing intervals like 2nd to 3rd or 4th to 5th. There is no single rule, but examples in J.S. Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier provide good practice writing tonal answers to subjects.

1. How to write a tonal answer For fun and profit

2. A tonal answer is required when The subject has scale degree 5 at or near the beginning The subject modulates

3. Why a tonal answer? To keep the exposition from modulating out of control If a subject modulated to V, its answer would modulate to its V, which would be V of V, or II. C Major Subject, G Major Answer- modulates to its V, which is D. To keep the exposition in the tonic Intervals are modified to maintain the tonic

4. Some guidelines The place in the subject where the dominant occurs will be modified in the answer It is moved to the tonic Scale degree 2 will become scale degree 1 Some common interval alterations 2nd <--> 3rd 4th <--> 5th

5. Textbook, pg. 9: Ex. 2 The subject begins on the dominant Rather than transposing this by a 5th (D), the answer begins with a C (tonic). The leap of a 5th becomes the leap of a 4th, keeping the answer in the tonic

6. Textbook, pg. 9: Ex. 3 The first leap is of a 5th in the subject This interval is changed to a 4th in the answer That’s all this subject requires

7. There is not an easy rule to memorize You just need to get familiar with subjects and answer. Go through both books of the WTC for the best examples.

8. Write the tonal answer These are the subjects from the previous lecture.

9. WTC Book 1, Fugue 2 Don’t forget, the subject will start in the dominant This will change the key signature (accidentals) slightly

10. WTC Book 1, Fugue 2

11. How did you do? There’s a lot to think about, so don’t worry if it wasn’t perfect. Let’s do another.

12. WTC Book 1, Fugue 3 The first pitch will need to be altered The first interval will also need to be altered This will all keep it in the tonic

13. WTC Book 1, Fugue 3

14. To review… The pitch which is analogous to the dominant in the subject, may need to be altered to the tonic in the answer Linear intervals may need to be altered 2 <--> 3 4 <--> 5

15. This takes practice I wasn’t kidding about going through the WTC. There are 48 fugues. Enjoy.