Second and Third Species Counterpoint

 

Lesson 13

February 9th, 2021

Lesson 13

Lecture notes:
  • The second-species counterpoint has two notes (2:1) to one note over the cantus firmus.
  • The third-species counterpoint has four notes (4:1) to one note over the cantus firmus.
  • The second-species counterpoint has one strong beat on the first note and one weak beat on the second note.
  • The third-species counterpoint has two strong beats on beats one and three and two weak beats on beats two and four.
  • In the second and third species, the strong beats must contain consonant intervals, and the weak beats may include consonant or dissonant intervals.
  • The last note in the second species should end on a strong beat or 1:1.
  • Passing tones are introduced in the second and third species counterpoint, which generally fall on weak beats and are approached in stepwise motion.
  • The melodic motion should be primarily stepwise when writing counterpoints. 

The photo above shows a second-species counterpoint beginning with a P8 (Perfect eighth). 

The photo above shows a third-species counterpoint beginning with a P8 (Perfect eighth).


The video above explains the rules of creating a second-species counterpoint.


The video above explains the rules of the third-species counterpoint.


The photo above is a second-species counterpoint I composed over a given cantus firmus.


This is me playing the second-species counterpoint from the photo above.


This is a third-species counterpoint that I composed over a given cantus firmus.


This is me playing the third-species counterpoint from the photo above.

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