Using passing notes in SATB writing
When writing for SATB, which is the best voice in which you can use passing notes & auxiliary notes? Also, in a music exam where the Soprano part is given to you (and you have to harmonise the given music), can you insert passing notes in the given Soprano part?
Is it alright to use passing notes in the Bass part?
The above questions are in context to a music theory exam.
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At least in the two methods I have done (ABRSM & UNISA) you NEVER and I do mean NEVER get to change the given. As for where you can use the chromatic notes, really wherever they fit. Usually you tell the newbies to stick it in the outer voices. Usually is such hard work teaching the basics of voice leading that you just want them to learn to walk before you teach them tactics for olympic marathon running.
Just as a general guide to harmony just stick to one piece of chromaticism per harmony. This means dont go overboard with too many non-harmony notes as this can easily confuse the harmony.
Imagine SATB as a string quartet. You can there use passing notes in each voice as well.
The human ear/brain recognizes the highest and the lowest pitch the most. So if you change either of those, it will be probably the most recognizable, but that doesn't mean, that you can't do it in the other voices as well. In string quartets, the Violin II and Viola can also have passing notes and when used correctly, it sounds just as good as with the highest/lowest voice.
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