INTRO to COUNTERPOINT

One of the most interesting and sometimes hard working topics in music is Counterpoint.

Counterpoint means  the relationship between two or more musical lines which are harmonically interdependent yet independent in rhythm and melodic contour. In other words it means two lines or voices played harmonically together. 

In Counterpoint there is something called Cantus Firmus. Cantus Firmus refers to a fixed melody or existing melody inside of a music. With the cantus firmus you must be able to create a voicing that fits with the fixed melody. Sometimes it is easy once you get the rules down. One of those rules would be to make sure that it goes in a step wise moion.

In a cantus firmus there are rules you have to make sure you follow. 

First Species counterpoint consists of consonant intervals such as ( P1, P5, P8, M6, m6, M3, and m3).

In the picture there are different voicing and the alto clef is the cantus firmus. All of the other voices ends on the same notes.