SPECIES COUNTERPOINT DOS AND DONTS

In partial fulfillment for Strict Counterpoint class 2015-2016

Specie

Dos

1st specie

Contrary and oblique motion should be employed as often as

possible.
More imperfect than perfect consonances should be employed.

Enter a perfect consonance (an octave,

unison, or fifth) by mean of direct motion.

The first half-note in each bar must be consonant with the

cantus firmus.
The second half-note in a bar may be dissonant, but only if it is
approached and left by a step.
Use an interval of 5, 6, or 8 as a closing formula if the cantus
firmus is above; and an interval of 5, 3, or 1 if the cantus firmus
is below.

Use fifths or octaves on the downbeat of

successive measures if the intervening note
leaps by an interval of a third or less.
Use two successive fifths or octaves if they
are intervened only by a skip of a third.

The first note of each bar must be consonant with the cantus
firmus.
Use either a cambiata formula, 8, 7, 5, 6, 8; or with a scale run,
3, 4, 5, 6, 8 as closing formulas if the cantus firmus is below and
close as 3m, 5, 4, 3m, 1 if the cantus firmus is above.

Make the second, third, or fourth notes

dissonant. (Except if they are step-wise
passing notes between two consonant notes.

Use consonance on the second half-notes in each bar.

Resolve by a downward stepwise movement if the preceding
note is dissonant.
Separate the half-notes as in second species if no ligature is
possible. Return to ligature as soon as possible.

Use dissonant ligatures resolving to an octave

or a unison in successive bars.

Take care to write a singable melodic line.

Make use of oblique motion and syncopation.
Use an interval of 7, (tied to the previous bar), 6, 8 when closing
if the cantus firmus is below; and 2 (tied to the previous bar),
3m, 1 if the cantus firmus is above.

Use two eight-notes on the first and third

beats of a measure.

(Whole note against each note.)

2nd specie
(Two half-notes against each whole note.)

3rd specie
(Four quarter notes against a whole note.)

4th specie
(Two half-notes against a whole note; the
first of which must occur on the up beat,
the second on the downbeat.)

5th specie
(Also called florid, consists of the
combination of the first four species.)

Don'ts