Counterpoint is a study in writing one or more independent melodies above or below a given melody. The combination of two or more independent melodies into a single harmonic texture in which each retains its linear character. The study of counterpoint is a must for the students who want to learn to Arrange for Strings section and also for the students who want to learn Orchestration.
Syllabus
Single Melodic Line.
Principles of two-voice Counterpoint.
Two-Voice Exercises, 1:1 and 2:1.
Chromaticism in Two-Voice.
Two-Voices Exercises in 3:1, 4:1 and Fifth Species.
Writing of Short Two-Voice Pieces.
Canon.
Invertible Counterpoint.
The Two-part Invention; Motivic Development.
Three-Voice Counterpoint.
Writing of Short Pieces, Three Voices.
Imitation in Three Voices.
Three-Part Invention; The Trio Sonata.
Fugue.
Forms Based on the Chorale.
Contrapuntal Variation Forms.
Final Project.
Requirements
Prerequisites
Age 16+
The students must have completed Music Theory 1, 2 and 3 courses or must have completed Grade 8 theory exam conducted by Trinity College of Music, London or ABRSM. The students should be good at Western Music Notation reading and writing. The Students must have completed Tonal Harmony course (First Year Harmony).
Software and Hardware Requirements
Any sequencing software (Cubase or LogicPro).
The students should be able to sequence music using MIDI keyboard.
The Students should also know how to use VST Plug-ins.
The Students should buy the Kontakt Library, Hollywood Strings, Hollywood Woodwinds, Hollywood Brass, Trillian, Omnisphere, Piano, Electric Piano, Groove Agent. Battery and Guitar VST Plug-ins.
PC or Mac system.
Good Soundcard.
MIDI Keyboard.
Required Textbooks
Counterpoint by Kent Wheeler Kennan.
Free Counterpoint by William Lovelock.
Baroque Counterpoint by Peter Schubert and Christoph Neidhofer.
Weekly two classes and each class is one hour.
Duration of the course is one year.
