Discant clausula
Contrapuntal cadential formula of older part-writing theory in which the top voice, often ornamented with a suspension or syncopation, moves to the final note.
What it means
Discant clausula is the term used in older, mainly medieval and Renaissance part-writing theory for a stereotyped, formulaic cadential movement in the top voice, the discant. It typically rises from the note a step below the final to the final note itself, the tonic of the cadence, marking the goal point of a phrase or an entire piece.
Such clausula formulas existed for several voices at once: alongside the discant clausula there was also a tenor, alto, and bass clausula, each describing a typical closing movement for its own register. Because these formulas were interchangeable, another voice could in theory take over the characteristic movement of the discant clausula.
Musical use
The discant clausula was often ornamented with suspensions, syncopations, or trills, which highlighted the cadential movement and gave it rhythmic life. These ornaments also softened the sometimes rather plain stepwise motion and lent the cadence greater melodic tension.
In contrapuntal practice, the discant clausula served as a reliable tool for ensuring a clearly recognizable goal-directed movement of the top voice at a full close. It counts among the basic building blocks that older theory used to describe and teach the construction of cadences.