Counterpoint

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Practice Slow any song down and practice it Games Music games for your ears and hands

Take a melody and write a line against it, one note against one to start, then two, three and four, notes tied over the barline, and all of them mixed. Hear both lines together, write it yourself, or drill parallel thirds, sixths and tenths.

What are the species?

The five steps Fux used to teach counterpoint. Each adds one thing, from one note against one to all of them mixed.

Which instruments are there?

Mandolin, violin, mandola, octave mandolin, guitar and bass.

Can I write above or below the melody?

Yes. Put your line above or below it.

What is counterpoint?

Two or more melodies played at once, each its own line. Bach's music is full of it.

All Tools

Time and pitch

Metronome Tuner Drone

Technique

Scales & Arpeggios Double Stops Chords Counterpoint Frets

Ear and rhythm

Ear Trainer Fretboard Trainer Rhythm Trainer

Play along and write

Practice TracksBeta Sheets

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Repertoire Courses

All tools

Metronome Tuner Drone

Scales & Arpeggios Double Stops Chords Counterpoint Frets

Ear Trainer Fretboard Trainer Rhythm Trainer

Practice TracksBeta Sheets

Repertoire Courses

Practice

Show meWrite itParallel drill

A line that follows the rules of the species. Ask for another to hear a different one.

Write your own line note by note. Each note is checked as you go.

The melody doubled in 3rds, 6ths or 10ths. Good for hearing intervals and learning double stops, but it isn't counterpoint.

Melody

Key

Mode

Species

The first note in each bar sounds with the melody; the others move around it. Fux calls 4 against 1 the 3rd species and the tied notes the 4th.

Your line goes

AboveBelow

Start

With the melodyAfter a rest

Instrument

Only lines I can play as double stops

Variety

SmoothBalancedAdventurous

Smooth lines move mostly by step. Adventurous ones leap to chord tones and turn round neighbors more often, still within the rules.

Intervals between the voices Tab Pick directions Finger numbers

Choose an instrument to see fingers.

Note names

Triplets

D U D Keep alternating Hammer, pull Hammer, up

Jigs

D U D, D U D Alternate

Sound72bpm

Click any note to start from there

Writing

Your lineThe melody

Click a note or use the arrow keys. Letters A to G jump to a note, and # raises or lowers it.

Hear

BothMelodyYour line

Mute a voice and play it yourself against the other.

Notes

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