Preface

1. Line

2. Harmony

3. Relationships between lines 4. Instrumental Counterpoint 5. Contrapuntal forms 6. Real world applications of counterpoint 7. Counterpoint and emotional richness

8. Acknowledgements

Conclusion: Counterpoint and emotional richness

Apart from all these uses of counterpoint, one final point remains: Like all musical contrasts, contrast between lines depends for its effectiveness on the composer’s sensitivity to musical character. Counterpoint can enrich music, from the level of individual motives to the level of the whole piece.

Well taught, counterpoint should encourage and enable depth of musical thought, and help increase the composer’s emotional range.

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank the following people for their comments and suggestions: Sylvain Caron, Guillaume Jodoin, Charles Lafleur, Philippe Lévesque, Martin Nadeau, Réjean Poirier, and Massimo Rossi.

© Alan Belkin, 2000. Legal proof of copyright exists. The material may be used free of charge provided that the author's name is included.