Category: counterpoint

  • What’s counterpoint in music? who what when where & why

    During my undergraduate work, counterpoint happened to be one of my favorite topics in music theory (Who am I kidding? I liked them all!). I was a teacher’s assistant and graded many counterpoint exercises. What I saw was if students grasped the principles of counterpoint, they were more successful when we got to four-part writing,…

  • The rules of counterpoint: cantus firmus through 5th species

    For a more detailed look at each species of counterpoint refer to the related articles below. This article is intended to be a reference and summary of the main “rules” of counterpoint. In general there are five elements to be aware of and control when writing traditional counterpoint: 1) lines move predominately by stepwise motion,…

  • 4th Species Counterpoint – the art of tension and release

    You may not have known it but 4th species counterpoint is a clear articulation of that push and pull of tonal music. Western tonal music developed dissonance consonance relationships that helps give “direction” to the music. Typically, compositions utilize building up tension with dissonance which is then relieved by resolving to a consonance in very…

  • 3rd Species Counterpoint – (audio ex) rules and steps

    If you do not know about cantus firmus, 1st species counterpoint, or 2nd species counterpoint, check out the following articles first: Cantus Firmus 1st Species Counterpoint 2nd Species Counterpoint In 3rd species counterpoint the counterpoint moves in quarter note durations against the cantus firmus in whole notes. Rules of 3rd Species Counterpoint If 5 quarter…

  • 2nd Species Counterpoint – composition for two voices

    2nd species counterpoint is two notes against one. Meaning the cantus firmus is a whole note and the counterpoint consists of two half notes.

  • 1st Species Counterpoint – a foundation for two voices

    In this article you will learn how to write a 1st species counterpoint in 6 steps. I also strive to bring a deeper understanding around some of the “whys” of this practice.

  • What is Cantus Firmus Counterpoint? – how it improves any creative musician

    Yes, learning counterpoint is an old way composers have learned the basics of composition but I believe it is a skill all composers, songwriters, and producers should have in their tool belt. Cantus firmus literally means “fixed melody” which just means the main melodic line that all other voices will be based on. Think of…