June 12, 200916 yr Hi everyone, I'm just beginning to learn counterpoint and I think I understand the basics (no parallel motion with perfects), but I'm wondering is there a rule against consecutive fifths or fourths if there is no movement? For example could I play C and G together two times in a row or would that be breaking the rules? Sorry if this question is so basic, I just started reading Fux's Study of Counterpoint today and I haven't heard mention of this yet so I just thought I'd ask. Thanks for your time, Jackson
June 12, 200916 yr If you're trying for Baroque style counterpoint then generally they wouldn't repeat. It's good to keep it moving but it's ok if you really want to/have to.
June 12, 200916 yr It doesn't really give the horrible parallel fifth sound though, and there's plenty of idioms with stationary repeated octaves and fifths to back up the fact. Observe:
June 12, 200916 yr As wayne-scales explained, it's really just about motion. This even means that it's generally OK to write "parallel fifths/octaves" when they're not actually part of one musical phrase, such as when you have a fermata on one harmony and the music then "starts again" after that on a new chord. You'll find that alot in Bach's chorales, for example.
June 12, 200916 yr Very good points, but how many of you came bearing musical examples!? This may not illustrate my point at all, but it's glossy and has a cool 3D look, unlike yours.
June 13, 200916 yr This may not illustrate my point at all, but it's glossy and has a cool 3D look, unlike yours. Woah, that's awesome. It's like the music is flying right at you. Do you have a version for 3D glasses?
June 13, 200916 yr ... Mine is stylistic of a Bach Chorale... Sorry dude, 3D is in. Bach chorale or not, if your score doesn't look like it's going to hit you in the face it's not worth anyone's time!
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