Outline The Study of Counterpoint from Joseph Fuxs Gradus Ad Parnassum Translated & Edited by Alfred Mann

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Has performed extensively both in New York City and Boston. His credits include the Angelo Tallaracco and Bob January Big Bands, Fire & Ice Jazz Octet, and the Blue Rain Lounge Quartet. He was also staff guitarist for South Park Recording Studio. In Boston 1985 - 2004, he has played with the George Pearson Group (local headliners at the Boston Jazz Society Jazz Festival in 1990), Urban Ambience, and was founder and leader of the Whats New Septet (1995). His Jazz compositions have been recorded by Comraderie Tapes and included in the missing links Tape Sampler. Composing for film since 1996, he has provided scores for Board Stories, Rules of Order, the independent production American Lullaby, the CityScape production Wastebasket, and Il Moccio - an April 2004 New York Film and Video entry. He has also provided music, efx, and sound design for Eric Mauro and his work has appeared on theBitscreen.com, the Seoul Animation Festival, Aspen Shortfest, and the ExCentris New Media Festival in Montreal.

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FIRST SPECIES COUNTER POINT: NOTE AGAINST NOTE PT 1

CONSONANCE AND DISSONANCE Consonance: Unison, 3rd, 5th, 6th, Octave and intervals made up of these and the Octave are Consonances Unison, 5th, and Octave are PERFECT 6th, 3rd, are IMPERFECT Dissonance: 2nd, 4th, dim 5th, tritone, 7th, and intervals made up of these and the Octave are Dissonances MOTION Is the distance covered in passing from one interval to another in either direction Direct same interval in the same direction Contrary moving in opposite direction resulting in different intervals Oblique one voice stationary other voice moves, creating different intervals as one voice moves against the stationary voice
Same Interval  Same Interval Different Intervals Different Intervals

Direct 4 FUNDAMENTAL RULES

Contrary

Oblique

From on PERFECT consonance to another PERFECT consonance must proceed in contrary or oblique motion From PERFECT consonance to IMPERFECT consonance one may proceed in any of three motions

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From IMPERFECT consonance to PERFECT consonance must proceed in contrary or oblique motion From IMPERFECT consonance to IMPERFECT consonance one may proceed with any of three motions Perfect  Perfect Contrary or Oblique Imperfect  Perfect Contrary or Oblique Perfect  Imperfect Any of Three Imperfect  Imperfect Any of Three ** Oblique is allowed with all 4 progressions NOTE ONE Greater care is needed in moving from note  note in DIRECT motion More IMPERFECT than PERFECT consonances should be employed Beginning and End must BOTH be PERFECT consonances NOTE TWO Treat as a VOCAL performance No Augmented, Diminished, or Chromatic Intervals No intervals larger than the 5th except for octave & min 6th, the minor 6th only in upward direction No registers too high or too low No skips following each other in the same direction Avoid skips not compensated for NOTE THREE Next to last bar MUST be a Maj 6th interval if the cantus firmus is the lower part min 3rd it the upper

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The 2nd degree of the mode ALWAYS occurs as the next to last tone in the cantus firmus  the 7th degree always as the next to last tone in the counterpoint Repetition of a tone (oblique motion) should NOT be repeated more than once Counterpoint MUST be in the same mode as the cantus firmus NOTE FOUR No movement by aug 4th also avoided when reached stepwise if line is not continued in the same direction (FGAB) Ok to have counterpoint (as lower voice) move above the cantus firmus to avoid incorrect motion Avoid movement by maj 6th interval as it is not easily singable 10th to Octave movement at beginning of the measure is NOT permitted 3rd to Unison movement should be avoided except at beginning and end of piece Movement from a more remote consonance (i.e. Octave + 5th) should not be tolerated Fa leads up / Mi leads down adjust Fa by # if movement ascends

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SUMMARY: FIRST SPECIES

1. CONSONANCE & DISSONANCE PERFECT CONSONANCE IMPERFECT CONSONANCE DISSONANCE MOTION TYPES 4 FUNDAMENTAL RULES Direct, Contrary, Oblique Perfect  Perfect Imperfect  Perfect Perfect  Imperfect Imperfect  Imperfect Contrary or Oblique Any of Three Unison, 5th, Octave 6th, 3rd 2nd, 4th, 5th, tritone, 7th

2.

NOTE ONE NOTE TWO

Beginning & End = Perfect Consonances No Aug., Dim., Chromatic Intervals No intervals larger than 5th except octave and min 6th min 6th only upward No registers too high or low No skips following in same direction Avoid skips not compensated for Next to last bar MUST be a Maj 6th if cf is the lower min 3rd if the upper 2nd degree of the mode ALWAYS occurs as the next to last tone in the cf 7th degree ALWAYS occurs as the next to last tone in the cp Repetition of a tone (oblique motion) should NOT be repeated more than once Cp MUST be in the same mode as the cf No movement by aug 4th also avoided when reached step wise if line is not continued in the same direction Ok to have counter point (as lower voice) move above the cf to avoid incorrect motion Avoid movement by maj 6th interval 10th to octave at beginning of measure is NOT permitted 3rd to unison movement avoided except at beginning and end of piece Movement from a more remote consonance should not be tolerated fa lead up / mi leads down adjust fa by # if movement ascends

NOTE THREE

NOTE FOUR

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Second Species: 2 half notes against 1 whole note

NOTE ONE 1st on downbeat MUST be consonant 2nd on upbeat maybe dissonant if moves from preceding note to following stepwise If second note moves by skip it MUST be consonant NOTE TWO Dissonance may not occur except as passing note between two notes a 3rd apart Follow the same rules of movement as First Species EXCEPTIONS Next to last measure should have a 5th followed by a maj 6th with cf in lower voice Next to last measure should have a 5th followed by a minor 3rd if cf is in upper voice NOTE THREE A skip of a 3rd cannot prevent a succession of either two 5ths or two octaves D B G Direct Motion 5th  5th 5th 5th F C A

May use a half rest in place of the 1st note of cp If voices become so close that further movement with no possibility of using contrary motion can use the skip of min 6th or Octave

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Third Species: 4 Quarters against a Whole Note

NOTE ONE General Rule: Follow from 1st & 2nd Species If 5 notes follow each other (4 quarters + other note) either ascending or descending the 1st is consonant, 2nd may be dissonant, 3rd consonant, the 4th may be dissonant if the 5th is consonant Exceptions: If the 2nd and 4th notes are consonant, the 3rd may be dissonant The cambiata if one goes from the 2nd note WHEN dissonant to a consonant note by skip D C B A D NOTE TWO Next to last measure cf in lower voice - if ascending min 3rd-4th-5th-maj 6th-Octave - if descending Octave-7th-5th-maj 6th (contains a cambiata)-Octave Next to last measure cf in upper voice - min 3rd-5th-4th-min 3rd-Unison NOTE THREE If mi against fa need to be adjusted use accidentals to avoid the harshness - comes from the 3 hexachords (hard, soft, & natural) C since cannot use eight notes yet line should be D cb A it is ok to use 7th for the 2nd note C

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the interval mi = B natural (hard hexachord) and fa = F natural (natural hexachord) creating aug 4th use Bb to create P4 or P5 interval

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Fourth Species of Counterpoint

NOTE ONE Two half notes are set against a whole note they the same tone across the bar line and connected by a tie First must occur on the upbeat (beat 2) the second on the down beat (beat 1) This species is called ligature or syncopation and can be either consonant or dissonant - the upbeat must always be consonant - consonant ligature results when both half notes (upbeat & down beat) are consonant - dissonant results when the half note on the upbeat is consonant and the downbeat note is dissonant Consonant D C C B A C Dissonant E F E D D C C NOTE TWO These dissonances DO NOT occur nonessentially (by diminuation) but functionally and on the downbeat They must resolve into the following consonance NOTE THREE: Resolution of the Dissonances The held notes are retardations of the notes following F E C B D C C A D G E B D

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On this account dissonances should always resolve descending stepwise to the next consonance - resolved to the consonance which would occur on the downbeat of the following measure if the retardation were removed - Cantus Firmus is in the lower voice o interval of the second  unison o 4th  3rd o 7th  6th o 9th  Octave o No Unison  2nd (creates 2 successive Unisons o No Octave  9th (creates 2 successive Octaves) - Cantus Firmus is in the upper voice o 2nd  3rd o 4th  5th o 9th  10th o Resolution of the 7th  Octave is not good BUT inversion (2nd  Unison) is ok NOTE FOUR A 7th  6th should appear in the next to last measure if cantus firmus is in the lower voice 2nd  3rd should appear in the next to last measure if cantus firmus is in the upper voice concluding with a unison Occasionally a measure will appear where no ligature can be introduced use plain half notes till opportunity for syncopation comes again Avoid interval repetition in succeeding measures singing and progression considerations

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THE FIFTH SPECIES OF COUNTERPOINT

NOTE ONE This species is called florid counterpoint should have a plastic melodic line, liveliness of movement, beauty and variety of form A recapitulation and combination of all the preceding species Maintain care to write a singable melodic line NOTE TWO Expands on the ligatures of species Four With the addition of idem is added are variants used in the interest of the melodic line or movement These interrupt the ligatures Original ------ C C (CF) Idem -----C

C B D C B A B

C C C

C (CF)

D OR Original ------ D F Idem -----D C E D D C G F (CF) E

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OR Original D F (CF) Idem D F (CF) NOTE THREE Two eight notes may occasionally be used Only on the 2nd and 4th beats but NEVER on the 1st and 3rd of the measure NOTE FOUR In approaching downbeats use oblique motion or syncopations in most instances Melodic line will see to lag if two quarter notes occur at the beginning of a measure unless: - connect them by ligature with the notes following - use additional quarters to provide further motion Original B A G Better B A G Better B A G B D C E C D C E

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Better B A G Better B A G G F E G

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WORKING SUMMARY OF PART 1: 5TH SPECIES 1. Consonance & Dissonance Perfect Consonance Imperfect Consonance Dissonance Unison, 5th, Octave 6th, 3rd 2nd, 4th, 5th, tritone, 7th

Resolution of Dissonance: Should always resolve descending stepwise to the next consonance if result of retardation 2. Motion A - 4 Fundamental Rules: Perfect  Perfect Imperfect  Perfect Perfect  Imperfect Imperfect  Imperfect

Contrary or Oblique Any of three

B - Intervals:

No Aug., Dim., Chromatic Intervals Repetition of a tone (oblique motion) should NOT be repeated more than once 10th to Octave at beginning of a measure is NOT permitted Avoid movement by Maj 6th interval Avoid 3rd to unison movement except at beginning and end of piece Movement from a more remote consonance should not be tolerated NO movement by Aug. 4th also avoided when reached stepwise if line is not continued in the same direction Start & End with Perfect Consonance Next to last measure follows formula by species to create final cadence

3. Form

4. Modality Cp MUST be in the same mode as the cf 7th degree ALWAYS occurs as the next to last tone in the cp 2nd degree of the mode ALWAYS occurs as the next to last tone in the cp

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5. Voice Leading NO skips following in the same direction Avoid skips not compensated for OK to have cp (as lower voice) move above the cf to avoid incorrect motion fa leads up / mi leads down adjust fa with # if movement ascends 6. Vocal Considerations NO intervals larger than 5th Can use Octave and min. 6th if voices so close and no possibility of contrary motion min 6th only upward Watch registers

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Note Against note in Three parts: Pt 2

NOTE ONE This species is the simplest combination of 3 voices and consists of equal notes whole notes the upper two being consonant with the lowest Three part composition is the most perfect of all evident from the fact that in it one can have a complete harmonic triad without adding another voice If another voice is added, it is only a doubling of an already present voice NOTE TWO The harmonic triad should be employed in every measure if there is no special reason against it Harmonic triad is a combination of the intervals of the 3rd and 5th Occasionally for a better melodic line one uses a consonance not properly belonging to the triad (6th or Octave) Solves the necessity of avoiding the succession of two perfect consonances giving up the 5th or Octave for the 6th E G Per  Imp C 3 Imp  Per D F Imp  Per Per  Imp C* E Per  Imp Imp  Imp A D* Imp  Per Imp  Imp B D (Per  Per) Imp  Per C C

D E F G C 5 Oct 3 m6 Oct 3 M6 3 5 Oct Oct th *If D were replace with the 5 (C) movement would be Per  Per  Per *If C were replaced with (G or B) descending line would be broken also the 6th interval combines best with the 3rd degree

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NOTE THREE The 6th interval combines better than any other with the note mi (3rd degree) The note which determines the 6th should be considered as if it were moved from its proper place to an unusual one Usual placement G E C 3rd 5th Min 3rd Inverted for 6th C G E Min 6th

Especially if mi is followed by fa if followed by another note, it requires the fifth rather than the 6th The 3rd must be considered carefully in relation to the mode and weakness at a cadence NOTE FOUR The rules for movement etc. should be observed not only from the Bass but if possible from any one part to another But even in 3 part composition, one may depart from the rigorous observance of the rules leading the other parts ABOVE the bass is there is serious reason to do so Avoid using leger lines in this type of composition Singable line must be taken into consideration

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NOTE FIVE Again, watch the third interval at endings major and minor - Min 3rd is not capable of giving sense of conclusion - Maj 3rd cannot be used if min 3rd is present in the mode ie. Mode D  D has an F natural cannot change to F sharp at conclusion to create a Maj 3rd

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Half Notes against Whole Notes in Three Parts: Pt 2

NOTE ONE A half note for the sake of the harmonic triad occasionally make a succession of two parallel fifths acceptable F A 5th D F 3rd E G 5th C

Again, the rules for 2 part composition still apply but can be adjusted in 3 part writing should the occasion need NOTE TWO Half notes are used against whole notes one voice utilizes half notes; the cantus firmus is in whole notes with the other voice also in whole notes Half notes are ALWAYS concordant (in harmony) with the two whole notes

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Quarters against Whole Notes in Three Parts: Pt 2

NOTE ONE The quarter notes must concur with the whole notes of two other voices Must take into account previous two part composition discussion + what has so far been said about three part composition NOTE TWO Greatest consideration must be given to notes which come on the downbeat Whenever you cannot use the harmonic triad on the first quarter note occurring on the beat use it on the second or third quarters (or fourth) of the measure NOTE THREE Variation is to have one voice in quarters, one voice in half notes, and the cantus firmus in whole notes

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The Ligature: Pt 2
NOTE ONE The way ligatures were used in two part counterpoint is not changed in three part should be strictly followed here also The ligature is nothing but the delaying of the note that follows same consonance in the third voice if the ligature had been omitted Without ligatures: E 6th G 5th 3rd C 3rd With ligatures: E G C E F D D 6th F 8va D 8va D D E E C E 6
th

C 6th E 5th

B 6th D 8va G 3 C D G B
rd

C 8va C C 8va C C C

The nature of the consonance is not changed by the ligatures it remains the same When dealing with successions of 5ths - in dissonant syncopations - remember the upbeat (second half of the measure) is the essential part NOTE TWO Voice is a consideration in what is prohibited (referencing the succession of 5ths) - the upper voice is more perceptible and obvious to the ear - the lower voices can be blurred on account of the lowness and not striking the ear so sharply - highness accentuates, and lowness subdues - the more perfect a consonance (5th, 8va, Unison) the less harmony it has

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the dissonances produced by the ligature and the pleasantness and beauty they give the ear HAVE TO BE attributed to the consonances to which they resolve

NOTE THREE If the lower voice is a pedal the 1st note of ligature does not have to be consonant In such a case, ligatures involving only dissonances are not only correct but sound beautiful D B G NOTE FOUR Watch for the succession of hidden 5ths where one voice uses ledger lines and actually places pitch on another voice line  if only 2 voices at that part of measure F (F) Alto
voice ledger line
th

D E G

C D G

B C G

A B G

5 F

G C F

5th

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Florid Counterpoint: Pt 2
NOTE ONE A combination of the five species in three parts Refer to 5th species in two part counterpoint for review of procedures

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Four Part Composition or Writing in Four Voices: Pt 3

NOTE ONE The complete triad is contained in three part composition  the fourth voice is a doubling of a consonance already present in the three other voices (dissonant chords discussed later) Unison and Octave are considered NOT different in their general designation  outside of register and interval When the octave cannot be used because of incorrect progression the 3rd and more rarely the 6th are doubled (in a footnote, the 5th is also possible) Rules for progression and motion given in part 1 should be followed as far as possible not only from bass but from any one voice to any other May accept progression of hidden 5th or Octave on requirement of the melody, limiting effect of the cantus firmus, or of imitation (when applying the rules of strict counterpoint to free writing) NOTE TWO Use numerals to designate consonant intervals from the bass note to make the doubling clearer F 3 D 8 A 5 D 3 D 3 F 5 C 5 F 3 G 1 G A 8 E 5 G 3 E C 3 D 3 G 5 D B 5 G 3 A 3 F B 8 F 3 A 8 C D 5 A 5 C 5 D C 3 G 3 A 8 A E 8 F 5 A 5 D D 3 E 8 A C# 8 D D

The natural interval order of the voices vertically is 5th, Octave, 3rd This order should be preserved unless the progression to next measure would violate the rules of

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movement  natural division in the harmonic division of the octave If the 3rd is placed close to the bass the result is a dull and indistinct sound  the greater the proportional numbers that determine the interval the brighter the sound of the interval NOTE THREE Not only the bass (or lowest part) and the other voices concur with the rules BUT the inner voices also Interval of the 4th  the nature of the intervals, whether they are consonant or dissonant is determined by reckoning from the Bass regardless of what may occur between the inner voices NOTE FOUR The inflexibility of the cantus firmus will not allow a working out strictly according to the rules of motion and progress which is easily done in free composition

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Half Notes against Whole Notes: Pt 3

NOTE ONE Review the corresponding section on 3 part writing  no difference here except the two half notes must be agree with the three whole notes as well as the part 3 Note against Note NOTE TWO Difficulty in this results from the necessity of setting two half notes against three whole notes Results in the possibility of some measures with no possibility of proceeding easily This Part 3 is actually exercises for free composition

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Quarters against Whole Notes: Pt 3

NOTE ONE Again, review corresponding the two and three voice species  no difference except that 4 quarters must be concordant with three whole notes Avoid unison on the down beats Again, rules of motion while should be followed, deviation can be tolerated if no other possibility for the progression is available But avoided in the outer voices  restrict deviation to the inner voices This is only because of the requirement of using whole notes in the other voices. The progression would be fixed could half notes be employed in these instances NOTE TWO Complete triad on the first quarter with the remaining approaching the next measure simply

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The Ligature: Pt 3
NOTE ONE Review the corresponding section in Pt 2 In this species the ligature MUST sound well together with three notes Avoid the 7th used with the 5th in the ligature  can divide the whole note to solve this: C G E C TO C G E C C F A D D B C E G C C F A D B

Rule that one must write three whole notes cannot be so strictly observed in this species NOTE TWO Can us the interval of the 4th in INNER voices  ie. Octave to 4th considered a movement from a perfect consonance to an imperfect one in direct motion

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Florid Counterpoint: Pt 3
NOTE ONE Again, review previous corresponding sections The fourth voice must also be in whole notes Again, the whole note may be divided if required for correct motion NOTE TWO Can now attempt to combine the 5 species of counterpoint  whole, half, quarter, ligatures