Counterpoint 1

Counterpoint is the art of combining two or more independent melodies. In this course, by award-winning composer Jonathan Peters, you will learn how to write counterpoint using a method called “species counterpoint”. Many of the great composers of the past learned counterpoint through this method and also taught this method to their students.

This course covers all five species of counterpoint, each species following a certain set of rules that guide the learner through various aspects of the art. In the first half of the course, you will study two voice counterpoint (two simultaneously occurring melodic lines). In the second half of the course, you will study three voice counterpoint (three simultaneously occurring melodic lines).

There are hundreds of diagrams and audio examples, as well as quizzes and writing exercises for you to download and complete.

At the time of this writing, there is also an option to have your exercises automatically checked with counterpoint analyzing software. This is a free tool and a video tutorial is included on how to use this software.

Learning counterpoint can be a daunting undertaking. This course aims to make a somewhat difficult subject matter as straightforward and as easy to understand as possible.

Who this course is for:

• those who want to learn counterpoint through the method studied and taught by the great composers
• those who want to learn how to write simultaneously occuring melodies
• those who want to learn the principles of voice leading