Help with multiple voice harmonization?

Question

I recently started composing using software, before that I only used guitar and memory, so this opened up lots of new possibilities with voices, intervals, ranges, etc. I started composing a chorale based on a children's song's melody, which is EFEFGG x2 AGAGAFF GFGFEE in a rhythm of 4 eighths and 2 quarters. In the third part my idea was to have the 2 altos, one doing the quarter note pitches (G, G, F, E) and the other doing a chromatic ascend (B, C, C#, D) in half notes while the soprano alternates the eighth note pitches in quarters. I want the bass and tenor to have several voices constantly overlapping each other and creating a wall of sounds with m2,M2,m7 and M7's, or just sharp dissonances, flowing in and out of whatever seems appropriate. I've never harmonized >2 voices, so I don't know how to approach this. In the current state ([sheet music](http://www116.zippyshare.com/v/vlOom7kO/file.html) and [flac file {+embedded player}](http://www82.zippyshare.com/v/5AXqFP2i/file.html)) in part III bars 1 and 5 are examples of where it's decent, the others kinda of work on their own, as in, tenor and bass separated, but not tog

Answer 1

The links to the files you provided have expired, so I'm flying a little blind on this one, but I'll do my best to answer in general terms to help you out a bit.

The most important thing you can do is to know what your harmonic structure is. Composing voice harmonies without knowing what the underlying chords are can result in some interesting and satisfying effects, but if it's only ever going to be performed a capella, then you'll want to make note of what the accompaniment chords are and where/when those chords change.

The great part is that you said you already play guitar, and have experience harmonizing for two voices. The guitar can naturally harmonize for as many as 6 voices, so if you want your sections to sing the basic triad as well as a few color notes, you can incorporate those into a single guitar chord to see how it sounds and if it's the direction you want to take.

The thing to remember about any voice harmonizing (whether it's for two voices or twelve) is to follow good voice-leading practice. Don't make leaps and jumps unnecessarily complex, try not to cross parts, maintain common tones as much as possible from one chord to the next, and have fun with chord inversions. Trust me, as a choral Bass, we do enjoy singing notes other than the root. :)