Species Counterpoint

Rules and exercises

Species counterpoint is a method of learning to write good vocal parts, following a set of rules which control voice leading and use of dissonance and consonance.  It is relevant to lots of styles of composition, but particularly to 16th-century vocal polyphony (which is what you have to imitate in your exam!)

Dissonances and consonances

There are three categories of harmonic (i.e. vertical) interval:

Perfect consonances - the unison, perfect fifth and octave

Imperfect consonances - major and minor 3rds and 6ths

Dissonances - major and minor 2nds and 7ths, the perfect 4th*, all augmented and diminished intervals

A dissonance is commonly defined as an unpleasant sound.  In harmony and counterpoint it has a more specific definition, however: a dissonance is defined as an interval or chord which requires a resolution.

Each species has its own rules for where different types of interval may be used.

* however, used melodically (i.e. horizontally) the perfect 4th is a consonance

Rules for good voice leading

These apply to all species

Do use:

• mainly movement by step

• a mixture of similar and contrary motion

• occasional melodic leaps followed by a step in the opposite direction

Never use:

• melodic leaps of a 6th, 7th or augmented 4th

• the same perfect consonance twice in succession (i.e. consecutive 5th, octaves or unisons)

Try to avoid:

• Similar motion onto a perfect consonance (so-called 'hidden' fifths or octaves)

• Sequences or motifs

• Two consecutive melodic leaps which outline a triad

Beginning and ending an exercise

If you are adding an upper part to a given cantus firmus:

• start on a unison, 5th or octave

• end on a unison or octave

If you are adding a lower part to a given cantus firmus

• start and end on a unison or octave

Now follow the links to get details of each species

For a more advanced and detailed summary of species counterpoint, try the links below.

Chicago University counterpoint site

Stanford University counterpoint site

Or google it.