Fourth and Fifth Species Counterpoint

 

Lesson 14

February 16th, 2021

Lesson 14

Lecture notes:
  • The fourth-species counterpoint introduces suspension, which is a harmonic dissonance that falls on a strong beat.
  • The fourth-species counterpoint is an elaboration that uses rhythmic displacement or syncopation that ties a note from one bar to the next.
  • A suspension consists of three parts: preparation, suspension, and resolution.
  • A suspension can be grouped into two categories: upper voice suspension, which includes 4-3, 7-6, and 9-8, and lower voice suspension, which includes 2-3, and 9-10. 
  • Consonant intervals can be tied to another consonant interval over the bar line in the fourth-species counterpoint.
  • The fifth-species counterpoint includes the elements from all the previous counterpoints from first to fourth.


The photo above shows a fourth-species counterpoint beginning on a P8.


The photo above shows a fifth-species counterpoint beginning on a P8.


The video above describes the basics of the fourth-species counterpoint and how it works.


The video above shows all the counterpoint species from first to fifth, with examples.


The photo above consists of a fourth-species counterpoint I composed over a given cantus firmus.


This is a video of me playing the fourth-species counterpoint from the photo above.


The photo above consists of a fifth-species counterpoint I composed over a given cantus firmus.


This is a video of me playing the fifth-species counterpoint from the photo above.


I'll be playing an improvised counterpoint over this given cantus firmus.


This is me playing an improvised second species over the given cantus firmus from the photo above.

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