counterpoint

counterpoint. The ability, unique to mus., to say two things at once comprehensibly. The term derives from the expression punctus contra punctum, i.e. ‘point against point’ or ‘note against note’. A single ‘part’ or ‘voice’ added to another is called ‘a counterpoint’ to that other, but the more common use of the word is that of the combination of simultaneous parts or vv., each of significance in itself and the whole resulting in a coherent texture. In this sense counterpoint is the same as polyphony.

The art of counterpoint developed gradually from the 9th cent. onwards and reached its highest point at the end of the 16th cent. and beginning of the 17th cent. When, at a later date, attempts were made to formulate rules for students of the art they were based on the practice of that period of culmination. The chief theorist responsible for the formulation of those rules was Fux whose Gradus ad Parnassum of 1725 is a book which still shows its influence in modern textbooks of strict counterpoint (or student's counterpoint), a form of training intended to be preparatory to the practice of free counterpoint (or composer's counterpoint).

In strict counterpoint the processes are studied under 5 heads, the result of an analysis which dissects the practice of the art into 5 species. Following the practice of early composers a cantus firmus (fixed song) is employed, i.e. a short melody, set by the master, against which another melody is to be written by the student— or, it may be, several such melodies. It is usually set out with one note to a measure (bar).

The species are as follows: I. The added v. proceeds at the same pace as the cantus firmus, i.e. with one note to a measure. II. The added v. proceeds at twice (or 3 times) the pace of the cantus firmus, i.e. with 2 or 3 notes to a measure. III. The added v. proceeds at 4 (or 6) times the pace of the cantus firmus, i.e. with 4 notes to a measure. IV. The added v. proceeds (as in Species II) at the rate of 2 notes to 1, i.e. 2 to a measure; but the second note is tied over to the first note of the following measure, i.e. syncopation is introduced. V. (Sometimes called florid counterpoint.) The added v. employs a mixture of the processes of the other 4 species and also introduces shorter notes (quavers).

The use of strict counterpoint as a method of study has tended to decline, its ‘rules’ being felt to be too rigid.

Combined counterpoint (strict or free) is that in which the added vv. are different species. Invertible counterpoint is such as permits of vv. changing places (the higher becoming the lower, and vice versa). Double counterpoint is invertible counterpoint as concerns 2 vv. Triple counterpoint is that in which 3 vv. are concerned, which are capable of changing places with one another, so making 6 positions of the v. parts possible. Quadruple and quintuple counterpoint are similarly explained, the first allowing of 24 positions and the second of 120.

Imitation is common in contrapuntal comp.—one v. entering with a phrase which is then more or less exactly copied by another v. When the imitation is strict it becomes canon.

In the 20th cent. there have been no new contrapuntal procedures but composers have made much freer and more daring use of traditional forms. In particular they have concentrated on what is known as linear counterpoint, i.e. on the individual strands of the texture and on thematic and rhythmic relationships rather than on harmonic implications. Linear harmony is the opposite of vertical harmony, i.e. confluences. With the blurring or virtual elimination of the boundaries between consonance and dissonance a much wider range of confluences is open to the composer.