|
Ok, because counterpoint is concerned with the individuality of lines/voices, you are not allowed to double at the octave, or fifth for successive notes.
Parallel octaves and fifths are entirely detrimental to individuality of voices. Even parallel thirds are not allowed more than about thrice in a row.
Very generally speaking, in counterpoint like this, contrary motion (that is to say, motion in which the voices move in opposite directions) is to be preferred over the other types.
So looking at your exercise, your first two measures must be rewritten. It is merely doubling. While I mention that counterpoint is perhaps primarily a linear matter, you must also take care to fill out the harmony. Balancing the linear and vertical (harmony) is what it's all about.
A good rule of thumb is that you should have the third of the chord present either in the counterpoint or in the CF, but this is a rule of thumb, and not set in stone.
You begin counterpoint on an octave, unison or 5th usually, and end similarly, but throughout the rest, you must try to avoid these very same intervals. Those intervals, by their very nature, cause stasis, and they are too stable to be used in the middle of a counterpoint exercise because of their stability - they don't want to move anywhere. In the same way, we do not write a perfect cadence in the middle of such an exercise - it is reserved for the end; it is too final to be included in the middle of an exercise.
The only note of your exercise which is not an octave or a fifth is the last, which brings me to another point.
You should end in the key in which you started.
Ok, with these clarifications, I would like you to try again. Bear in mind all these things I have told you.
For an additional exercise, I would like you to add a bass part to a descending E-flat major scale.
Take your time with these, please, and really think out all your options. Try to think in terms of line, and keep the harmony in mind.
With the descending scale, your bass part of necessity will jump around more than is maybe desirable, but that's ok.
|