How can I effectively use counterpoint in my composition writing?
Good question! This is a BIG topic and I will attempt to give you the basics in a short, but effective description. It’s hard to explain everything in one sitting, so this is a brief statement. Well, counterpoint is the relationship between two or more voices that are independent in contour and rhythm and are harmonically interdependent. There is a traditional set of tonal “rules” that are attached to counterpoint, but then, you can have a contrapuntal texture that does follow the chorale-style rules. If you desire to follow the “rules” or guidelines of traditional counterpoint then it is not difficult to compose in this style because there is basically a map laid out for you in terms of tonality, modulation, chord progression, et cetera. You have a lot of freedom to choose mind you, but can be limited to a certain point. Now, on the other hand, Stravinsky and many other composers have contrapuntal textures and do not follow the chorale-style tonal guidelines. Sometimes the composers w
