Counterpoint

From Advancing Music Theory

Objectives[edit]

  • Students will be familiar with the basic tenets of contrapuntal writing.
  • Students will be familiar with the conventions of common-practice period counterpoint.
  • Students will be familiar with counterpoint-based forms such as canon and fugue.

Resources[edit]

Class Activities[edit]

  • Discussion and definition of the general concept and characteristics of counterpoint
  • Summarization of the patterns of 16th- and 18th-century counterpoint
  • Discussion of definition of contrapuntal forms like canon, chorale fantasy and fugue
  • Analysis of counterpoint in different types of music
  • Composition and improvisation of a contrapuntal line against a given melody

Assignments[edit]

  • Error detection in written counterpoint for different styles
  • Writing a contrapuntal line against a given melody
  • Analysis of written and recorded counterpoint

Assessments[edit]

Notes[edit]