Lesson with obeoducky

obeoduck will also be starting his lessons with counterpoint.

So, if you please tell me what you know about counterpoint before we start.

I know the basics: harmony is supposed to move opposite of the melody, going up when the melody goes down, and vice versa. I've read Gradus ad Parnassum, if that helps.

Ok,

Your counterpoint lesson will be a lot like devoured_elysium's counterpoint thread. For these lessons we will be using various clefs such as the Soprano, Alto and Tenor clefs.

Counterpoint is all about "note against note" creating melody and harmony at the same time. Its like a orchestrating or creating a world of consonances and dissonances. Kind of like a world of balance and counter-balance.

1)In the study of 1st Species we deal ONLY WITH CONSONANCES.
Our harmonic consonances will be the 3rd, 5th, 6th, octave and unison.

The unison, octave and 5th are called "perfect consonaces".
The 3rd and 6th are called "imperfect"

All the other intervals like the 2nd, 4th, 7th are dissonances. But we won't be dealing with them in the 1st Species.


Here are the voice-leading rules when dealing with consonaces.

1)A perfect consonaced may ONLY be approached by contrary or oblique motion.

2) Imperfect intervals may be approached by direct, contrary or
oblique.

I will give you additional "rules" once you've let me know if you understand everything.

I have just one question, what is oblique motion? Other than that, I think I get it all.

Oblique motion is a situation when instead of two voices moving at the same time, one voice remains stationary while the other voices moves. Do you need a visual example?

Nope, I get it now

Here are the other rules. Look them over and let me know if you have any questions.


- We will be using Modes for the exercises (Dorian, Phrygian, etc.)
- No melodic leaps of a 7th, Augmented 4th, or Major 6th are allowed
- The counterpoint exercises must begin and end on Perfect Consonances.
- When the Cantus Firmus is the lower voice, the next to last measure must have a harmonic interval of a Major 6th between the two voices.
- When the Catus Firmus is the higher voice, the next to last measure must have a harmonic interval of a minor 3rd between the two voices.
- In first species, repetition of a note to create oblique motion may occur occasionally, but the same tone must not be repeated in succession more than once.
- Compound intervals of a 10th is allowed
- Voice crossing is allowed if only to avoid less satisfactory voice leading.

Let me know when you are ready to go on.

I'm ready!

Ok,

I have posted an exercise. The Cants Firmus (fixed or unchangable melody) is in the alto celf as the lower voice. Using the rules I gave you I want for you to compose counterpoint. Remember we are only using CONSONANT INTERVALS in 1st species. And, each measure will consist of 1 whole note.