What are the 5 species of counterpoint?

We distinguish in species counterpoint between:

‘Perfect’ Consonances (perfect unisons, fifths, and octave)
‘Imperfect’ Consonances (major and minor thirds and sixths)
Dissonances (all seconds, sevenths, diminished and augmented intervals)

What are species in counterpoint?

The first species is note-against-note counterpoint. The second species is two notes against one in the cantus firmus. The third species is four notes against one in the cantus firmus. The fourth species is the study of suspensions against a cantus firmus.

What are the two most common types of counterpoint?

There are several different forms of counterpoint, including imitative counterpoint and free counterpoint. Imitative counterpoint involves the repetition of a main melodic idea across different vocal parts, with or without variation.

What are the rules for counterpoint?

Counterpoint Rules

The interval between the given note and the note in your counter-melody should be consonant (major/minor 3rd or 6th, perfect unison, 5th, or octave, or a compound form).
If the counter-melody is above the given melody, then the last note of the counter-melody should be in the tonic chord.

What is 4th species counterpoint?

In fourth-species counterpoint, the counterpoint line and cantus firmus both move once per bar, but they are rhythmically offset from each other by a half note. (Think syncopation on the bar level.) This arrangement means that in pure fourth-species counterpoint, the two lines always move in oblique motion.

What is 2nd species counterpoint?

In second species, one writes two half notes against a cantus firmus in whole notes. Begin your counterpoint with a half note at the octave or unison on either the first or third beat of the measure; if starting on the third beat, put a half rest at the beginning of the measure.

What is the purpose of species counterpoint?

The seminal composition text, Gradus ad Parnassum (1725), by Johann Joseph Fux, teaches contrapuntal composition through “species counterpoint.” Species counterpoint uses simple rhythmic values and teaches composers how to write one, two, three, or four notes against a larger value, usually a whole note.

What is baroque counterpoint?

Baroque counterpoint is a much more complicated style than that of the earlier Renaissance. Bach wrote many types of contrapuntal composition, but his most intricate are his fugues. In Baroque counterpoint, new ways of manipulating the melody (in a mathematical way) were combined with artistic flair.

Who invented species counterpoint?

Johann Joseph Fux
Invented in the early 18th century by Johann Joseph Fux, species counterpoint was one of the two pillars of music composition training in the Northern European tradition (the other being the discipline of thoroughbass).

What is 3rd species counterpoint?

Third Species counterpoint is when you have four counterpoint notes against one cantus firmus note. So if the cantus firmus is composed of semibreves, then the counterpoint voice is composed of crotchets (or quarter notes).

What is difference between harmony and counterpoint?

Well, lines of harmony usually go with the melody in the same rhythm, and somewhat the same direction. Contrapuntal lines are almost completely different, but sound good together. Short answer: In counterpoint, the harmony is created through melodies played simultaneously by different voices.