Counterpoint 1

Name: Counterpoint 1
Rating: 4.7 (112 reviews)

Learn the art of combining two or more independent melodies through species counterpoint.

Highest Rated

Created byJonathan Peters

Last updated 11/2022

English

What you'll learn

You will learn the method of species counterpoint studied and taught by the great composers
You will learn how to write simultaneously occuring melodies.
You will learn the principles of voice leading.
You will learn how to write for two and three parts.

Course content

13 sections • 101 lectures • 3h 16m total length

What is Counterpoint?3:07
In this video you will learn the definition of counterpoint.
Intervals2:28
In this video you will learn the difference between simple and complex intervals. You will also learn how the horizontal affects the vertical and how to notate the intervals formed between two melodies.
Consonance & Dissonance1:16
In this video you will learn which intervals were considered consonant or dissonant during the Baroque period.
Types of Melodic Motion0:57
In this video you will learn about the four different types of melodic motion.
Relative Motion Bewteen Voices3:25
In this video you will learn the definition of the term voice. You will also learn the various ways in which one voice can move in relation to another voice and which types of relative motion are best suited for independent melodic lines.
Preliminaries

Fixed Song1:31
In this video you will learn the definition of a cantus firmus and a brief history.
Components of a Cantus Firmus1:11
In this video you will learn the basic components for writing a cantus firmus.
Motion of a Cantus Firmus9:32
In this video you will learn the various ways in which motion affects the cantus firmus.
Shape of a Cantus Firmus3:56
In this video you will learn how to shape a cantus firmus through beginning, apex, and conclusion.
Summary for Writing a Cantus Firmus0:51
A summary for writing a cantus firmus.
Cantus Firmus
Exercises in Catus Firmus Writing0:07

What is Species Counterpoint?1:32
In this video you will learn a brief overview of species counterpoint.
Beginning of a First Species Exercise1:25
In this video you will learn the rules for beginning a first species exercise.
Middle of a First Species Exercise4:19
In this video you will learn the rules and guidelines for the middle of a first species exercise.
End of a First Species Exercise1:08
In this video you will learn the rules for ending a first species exercise.
Spacing & Motion of a First Species Exercise8:05
In this video you will learn about spacing rules and various types of motion that should be avoided.
The Human Voice1:08
In this video you will learn the four voice types, their ranges, and their typical pairings in two voice counterpoint.
Summary of First Species0:51
A summary of the rules and guidelines for first species counterpoint.
Tips for the Writting Process1:09
A list of tips to help in the writing of species counterpoint exercises.
First Species
Auto Check Your Work with Counterpoint Analyzing Program0:11
How to Use Art Infuser5:35
In this video you will learn how to use the Art Infuser web site to check your work.
Dealing with Counterpoint Errors0:23
Exercises in First Species Writing0:27
Exercises to be completed for first species.

The 2:1 Ratio1:01
In this video you will learn what defines second species counterpoint.
Beginning of a Second Species Exercise0:51
In this video you will learn the rules for beginning a second species exercise.
Middle of a Second Species Exercise4:28
In this video you will learn the rules and guidelines for the middle of a second species exercise.
End of a Second Species Exercise1:21
In this video you will learn the rules for ending a second species exercise.
Parallels in Second Species4:21
In this video you will learn the rules for parallels in second species.
Summary of Second Species1:05
A summary of the rules and guidelines for second species counterpoint.
Second Species
Exercises in Second Species Writing0:29
Exercises to be completed for second species.

The 4:1 Ratio1:03
In this video you will learn what defines third species counterpoint.
Beginning of a Third Species Exercise0:49
In this video you will learn the rules for beginning a third species exercise.
Middle of a Third Species Exercise0:15
Consonance & Dissonance1:03
In this video you will learn the rules for which quarter notes may be consonant or dissonant in third species.
Passing Tones3:07
In this video you will learn about passing tones and double passing tones in third species.
Neighbor Tones6:47
In this video you will learn about the various types of neighbor tones in third species.
Nota Cambiata3:12
In this video you will learn the definition of a nota cambiata and the rules for writing one.
Unisons, Variety, Repeated Pitches, Ties, & Apex0:29
End of a Third Species Exercise1:07
In this video you will learn the rules for ending a third species exercise.
Parallels in Third Species2:09
In this video you will learn the rules and guidelines for parallels in third species.
Summary of Third Species1:04
A summary of the rules and guidelines for third species counterpoint.
Third Species
Exercises in Third Species Writing0:29
Exercises to be completed for third species.

Syncopation2:24
In this video you will be introduced to syncopation in fourth species.
Beginning of a Fourth Species Exercise0:44
In this video you will learn the rules for beginning a fourth species exercise.
Middle of a Fourth Species Exercise0:15
Rules for Half Notes1:11
In this video you will learn the rules for half notes in fourth species.
Dissonant Suspensions3:16
In this video you will learn about the three parts to a dissonant suspension.
Suspensions in Upper & Lower Voices3:39
In this video you will learn about eight possible dissonant suspensions in upper and lower voices. You will also learn which should be used more frequently and which to avoid.
Consonant Suspensions1:14
In this video you will learn about consonant suspensions and why you need to use them occasionally.
Unisons & Repeated Pitches1:19
In this video you will learn the rules for unisons and repeated pitches in fourth species.
Suspension Variety2:18
In this video you will learn the rule regarding a series of same numbered suspensions and ways to avoid breaking this rule.
Breaking Species4:39
In this video you will learn the definition of breaking species and rules for when and why to break species.
End of a Fourth Species Exercise2:11
In this video you will learn the rules for ending a fourth species exercise.
Parallels in a Fourth Species Exercise1:23
In this video you will learn the rules for parallels in fourth species.
Summary of Fourth Species1:10
A summary of the rules and guidelines for fourth species counterpoint.
Fourth Species
Exercises in Fourth Species Writing0:29

Florid Counterpoint0:53
In this video you will learn the definition of florid counterpoint.
Beginning of a Fifth Species Exercise0:41
In this video you will learn the rules for beginning a fifth species counterpoint exercise.
Middle of a Fifth Species Exercise0:15
Mixing Note Values1:22
In this video you will begin learning some basic guidelines for mixing note values in fifth species.
Long vs Short Durations3:19
In this video you will learn rules and guidelines for where long and short notes should be written in fifth species.
Eighth Notes1:55
In this video you will learn the four rules for writing eighth notes in fifth species.
Decorating Resolutions4:29
In this video you will learn the four ways in which you can decorate suspensions in fifth species.
Melodic Contour & Rhythmic Contour2:51
In this video you will learn guidelines to make the melodic and rhythmic contour coincide.
End of a Fifth Species Exercise0:46
In this video you will learn the rules for ending a fifth species exercise.
Parallels in Fifth Species2:15
In this video you will learn the rules for parallels in fifth species.
Summary of Fifth Species0:58
A summary of the rules and guidelines for fifth species counterpoint.
Fifth Species
Exercises in Fifth Species Writing0:29

Consonances with Three Voices3:50
In this video you will learn which types of triads are considered consonant in three voice counterpoint.
Incomplete Triads1:29
In this video you will learn the difference between complete and incomplete triads and rules for when to write them.
Octave Doublings3:51
In this video you will learn rules and guidelines for doubling pitches in three voice counterpoint.
Consecutive Identical Intervals1:29
In this video you will learn the rules for consecutive identical intervals in first species for three voices.
Spacing Between Voices1:59
In this video you will learn the rules and guidelines for spacing between the three voices.
Parallels2:01
In this video you will learn the rules for parallels in first species for three voices.
Beginning & End6:42
In this video you will learn the rules for beginning and ending a first species counterpoint exercise for three voices.
Tips for the Writing Process1:10
Summary of First Species with Three Voices1:31
First Species (Three Voices)
Exercises for First Species with Three Voices0:32

Requirements

The ability to read musical notes.
A basic understanding of music theory.
Music notation software (free options available).
Counterpoint analyzing software (free options available).

Description

Counterpoint is the art of combining two or more independent melodies. In this course, by award-winning composer Jonathan Peters, you will learn how to write counterpoint using a method called "species counterpoint". Many of the great composers of the past learned counterpoint through this method and also taught this method to their students.

This course covers all five species of counterpoint, each species following a certain set of rules that guide the learner through various aspects of the art. In the first half of the course, you will study two voice counterpoint (two simultaneously occurring melodic lines). In the second half of the course, you will study three voice counterpoint (three simultaneously occurring melodic lines).

There are hundreds of diagrams and audio examples, as well as quizzes and writing exercises for you to download and complete.

At the time of this writing, there is also an option to have your exercises automatically checked with counterpoint analyzing software. This is a free tool and a video tutorial is included on how to use this software.

Learning counterpoint can be a daunting undertaking. This course aims to make a somewhat difficult subject matter as straightforward and as easy to understand as possible.

Who this course is for:

those who want to learn counterpoint through the method studied and taught by the great composers
those who want to learn how to write simultaneously occuring melodies
those who want to learn the principles of voice leading

Counterpoint 1

What you'll learn

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Course content

Preliminaries5 lectures • 11min

The Cantus Firmus6 lectures • 17min

First Species12 lectures • 26min

Second Species7 lectures • 14min

Third Species12 lectures • 22min

Fourth Species14 lectures • 26min

Fifth Species12 lectures • 20min

Intro to Three Voice Species Counterpoint1 lecture • 4min

First Species (Three Voices)10 lectures • 25min

Second Species (Three Voices)4 lectures • 5min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: