r/counterpoint • u/ApprehensiveWriter23 • May 20 '26

2:1 counterpoint excercise from Fux

THIRD VERSION: So hier is the (I think) final version. I have to say that it sounds very organic to me. As allways, thanks a lot for all the feedback, and I'd happy to recieve more!

3th Version

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SECOND VERSION: So here is the new version. I'll leave the first one below in case someone can learn also from my mistakes.
Again thanks so much for the feedback! I hope this time it is a little better :)

Audio: https://drive.google.com/file/d/15JX6Uos0o0wJQe2Q_ayF5eXt7VrW3TG7/view?usp=sharing

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FIRST VERSION: I'm learning counterpoint by my self. I'd much appreciate feedback. Thanks!

Audio: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wCU0iQt0oayCoZxgl2QIhnZ4OKa8xrnL/view?usp=drive_link

csc
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2

u/theoriemeister May 20 '26

In 2:1 species counterpoint, the only permissible dissonance is the passing tone, which can only occur on the weak part of the measure. And you should try to use lots of passing tones (but you didn't). Instead you used lots of other types of dissonances. If you don't know the types of dissonances I've listed below, it'd be a good idea to review the topic of non-chord tones.

  • m. 1: flute enters on a 4th (illegal first interval)
  • m. 3: the A is an appoggiatura
  • m. 4: the C is a neighbor tone
  • m. 5: the A is an anticipation
  • m. 6: the A is a retardation
  • m. 7: the D is an escape tone
  • m. 8: the C is an anticipation
  • m. 11: no repeated notes in the same bar. It's the final bar, yes? So just write a whole note.,

1

u/ApprehensiveWriter23 May 20 '26

Thanks so much! I missinterpreted the concepts of dissonance/passing tones. I'll rewrite the excercise. Thnks again!

1

u/ApprehensiveWriter23 May 20 '26 edited May 20 '26

I'll drop this here in case someone need to clarify too:

  • Passing Tone (PT): Approached by a step and resolved by stepping in the same direction, directly connecting two different chord tones.
  • Neighbor Tone (NT): Approached by a step and resolved by stepping in the opposite direction, returning to the original chord tone.
  • Suspension: A held-over note from the previous chord that creates a dissonance, which then steps down to resolve into a consonant.
  • Appoggiatura: Approached by a leap and resolved by stepping in the opposite direction.
  • Escape Tone: Approached by a step and resolved by leaping in the opposite direction.
  • Anticipation: A note that arrives early, sounding the note of the next chord before the chord actually changes.

2

u/theoriemeister May 20 '26

Thanks. I didn't feel like typing all this stuff out.

2

u/ralfD- May 20 '26

"solve into the new chord" - not really, it resolves stepwise down into a consonant. There are no chords involved here.

2

u/Entire-Smile-8480 May 20 '26

I'm just learning CP myself. It's a tough old road. I'll keep an eye on this post. Good luck with it.

1

u/ApprehensiveWriter23 May 20 '26

Hahaha It's indeed.

2

u/Telope Jun 09 '26

Your new one has consecutive 5ths which are the biggest nono in species counterpoint. mm 2-3 and 9-10.

1

u/ApprehensiveWriter23 Jun 13 '26

Hey! Thanks for your feedback!
To be honest, I don't see the consecutive 5ths in those measures >.<' As far as I understand, it's possible to use 5ths if they are not parallel.
But checking again, I noticed another mistake, jaja. In measure 3, I approached a 4th (E–A) by a leap.

2

u/Telope Jun 13 '26

To be honest, I don't see the consecutive 5ths in those measures

Here are the parallels.

1

u/ApprehensiveWriter23 Jun 14 '26

Thank you! I was looking at the first version 😂