CITATION — REFERENCE ENTRY
First-Species Counterpoint — Open Music Theory
- Key
- gotham-shaffer-omt-first-species
- Authors
- Gotham, Mark; Shaffer, Kris
- Issued
- 2023
- Type
- chapter
- Container
- Open Music Theory
- Publisher
- VIVA Pressbooks
Raw CSL JSON
{
"URL": "https://viva.pressbooks.pub/openmusictheory/chapter/first-species-counterpoint/",
"type": "chapter",
"title": "First-Species Counterpoint",
"author": [
{
"given": "Mark",
"family": "Gotham"
},
{
"given": "Kris",
"family": "Shaffer"
}
],
"issued": {
"date-parts": [
[
2023
]
]
},
"publisher": "VIVA Pressbooks",
"container-title": "Open Music Theory"
}
Claims
-
In first-species counterpoint, parallel fifths and octaves are avoided because they promote tonal fusion at the expense of melodic independence. Contrary motion is preferred where possible because it best preserves the independence of the lines, and voice crossing is avoided because it makes the lines harder to distinguish by ear.
"Parallel fifths and octaves promote tonal fusion at the expense of melodic independence, and these consecutive stable sonorities also limit variety and motion in the exercise. ... Contrary motion is best for variety and preserving the independence of the lines, so it should be preferred where possible. ... Avoid voice crossing . Voice crossings diminish the independence of the lines and make them more difficult to distinguish by ear."
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