Counterpoint
1
Specie Do’s Don'ts 1 st specie (Whole note against each note.) • Contrary and oblique motion should be employed as often as possible. • More imperfect than perfect consonances should be employed. • Enter a perfect consonance (an octave, unison, or fifth) by mean of direct motion. 2 nd specie (Two half-notes against each whole note.) • The first half-note in each bar must be consonant with the cantus firmus. • The second half-note in a bar may be dissonant, but only if it is approached and left by a step. • Use an interval of 5, 6, or 8 as a closing formula if the cantus firmus is above; and an interval of 5, 3, or 1 if the cantus firmus is below. • Use fifths or octaves on the downbeat of successive measures if the intervening note leaps by an interval of a third or less. • Use two successive fifths or octaves if they are intervened only by a skip of a third. 3 rd specie (Four quarter notes against a whole note.) • The first note of each bar must be consonant with the cantus firmus. • Use either a cambiata formula, 8, 7, 5, 6, 8; or with a scale run, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 as closing formulas if the cantus firmus is below and close as 3m, 5, 4, 3m, 1 if the cantus firmus is above. • Make the second, third, or fourth notes dissonant. (Except if they are step-wise passing notes between two consonant notes. 4 th specie (Two half-notes against a whole note; the first of which must occur on the up beat, the second on the downbeat.) • Use consonance on the second half-notes in each bar. • Resolve by a downward stepwise movement if the preceding note is dissonant. • Separate the half-notes as in second species if no ligature is possible. Return to ligature as soon as possible. • Use dissonant ligatures resolving to an octave or a unison in successive bars. 5 th specie (Also called “florid”, consists of the combination of the first four species.) • Take care to write a singable melodic line. • Make use of oblique motion and syncopation. • Use an interval of 7, (tied to the previous bar), 6, 8 when closing if the cantus firmus is below; and 2 (tied to the previous bar), 3m, 1 if the cantus firmus is above. • Use two eight-notes on the first and third beats of a measure. SPECIES COUNTERPOINT DO’S AND DON’TS In partial fulfillment for Strict Counterpoint class 2015-2016
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Transcript of Counterpoint
Specie Do’s Don'ts
1st specie(Whole note against each note.)
• Contrary and oblique motion should be employed as often as possible.
• More imperfect than perfect consonances should be employed.
• Enter a perfect consonance (an octave, unison, or fifth) by mean of direct motion.
2nd specie(Two half-notes against each whole note.)
• The first half-note in each bar must be consonant with the cantus firmus.
• The second half-note in a bar may be dissonant, but only if it is approached and left by a step.
• Use an interval of 5, 6, or 8 as a closing formula if the cantus firmus is above; and an interval of 5, 3, or 1 if the cantus firmus is below.
• Use fifths or octaves on the downbeat of successive measures if the intervening note leaps by an interval of a third or less.
• Use two successive fifths or octaves if they are intervened only by a skip of a third.
3rd specie(Four quarter notes against a whole note.)
• The first note of each bar must be consonant with the cantus firmus.
• Use either a cambiata formula, 8, 7, 5, 6, 8; or with a scale run, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 as closing formulas if the cantus firmus is below and close as 3m, 5, 4, 3m, 1 if the cantus firmus is above.
• Make the second, third, or fourth notes dissonant. (Except if they are step-wise passing notes between two consonant notes.
4th specie(Two half-notes against a whole note; the first of which must occur on the up beat,
the second on the downbeat.)
• Use consonance on the second half-notes in each bar.• Resolve by a downward stepwise movement if the preceding
note is dissonant.• Separate the half-notes as in second species if no ligature is
possible. Return to ligature as soon as possible.
• Use dissonant ligatures resolving to an octave or a unison in successive bars.
5th specie(Also called “florid”, consists of the
combination of the first four species.)
• Take care to write a singable melodic line.• Make use of oblique motion and syncopation.• Use an interval of 7, (tied to the previous bar), 6, 8 when closing
if the cantus firmus is below; and 2 (tied to the previous bar), 3m, 1 if the cantus firmus is above.
• Use two eight-notes on the first and third beats of a measure.
SPECIES COUNTERPOINT DO’S AND DON’TSIn partial fulfillment for Strict Counterpoint class 2015-2016
