Music 30/30 – Day 9
So, I started in on counterpoint today, and already it is hurting my brain. So many rules to keep track of. I’m sure it will start to sink in with some practice, and I’m also sure that it doesn’t help that I’m starting the process so late in an already long and tiring day, but for the moment I’m scratching my head just a bit on first species counterpoint.
That said, aside from being a bit overwhelmed by all of the rules, I think I’m getting the general gist of it. Try to have your melody move mostly in smaller steps and intervals, try not to stay in one place for too long, stay away from dissonant intervals, at least in first species. When harmonizing, try to keep the two melody lines moving counter to each other, avoid landing on intervals of fifths or octaves in general, and certainly avoid having more than one of them in a row. There’s a lot more too it than just that, but it mostly all boils down to what seems to be a couple of main rule categories: don’t be boring, don’t be jarring. I’m sure with some sleep and practice it will start to click in.