Chapter+Eight

One-to-one: Counterpoint written so that each note in one voice is paired with a single note in the other voice, using only consonant intervals. Another name for first-species counterpoint.

Two-to-one: Counterpoint written so that one voice has two notes for every single note in the other voice. Permits consonances and passing tones, according to strict rules of voice-leading; in eighteenth-century style, also allows neighbor tones. Another name for second-species counterpoint.

Chordal skip: A melodic embellishment made by skipping from one chord memebr to another.

Conjunct motion: Melodic motion by step.

Consonant skip: Another term for chordal skip.

Contrary motion: Contrapuntal, or voice-leading, motion in which two voices move in opposite directions.

Counterpoint: A musical texture that sets two or more lines of music together so that the independent lines together create acceptable harmony; or harmonies set one after another so that the individual voices make good, independent melodic lines.

Disjunct motion: Melodic motion by skip or leap.

First species: Counterpoint written so that each note in one voice is paired with a single note in the other voice, using only consonant intervals. Also called 1:1 counterpoint.

Leap: A melodic interval larger than a fourth (larger than a chordal skip).

Neighbor tone: An embellishment that decorates a melody pitch by moving to a pitch a step above or below it, then returning to the original pitch. Neighbor tones are approached and left by step, in opposite directions.

Note-against-note: Another name for first species, or 1:1, counterpoint. (Note-to-note).

Oblique motion: Contrapuntal, or voice-leading, motion in which one part repeats the same pitch while the other moves by leap, skip, or step.

Parallel motion: Contrapuntal, or voice-leading, motion in which both parts move in the same direction by the same generic interval.

Passing tone: A melodic embellishment that fills in the space between chord memebrs by stepwise motion. It is approached by step and left by step in the same direction.

Second species: Counterpoint written so that one voice has two notes for every single note in the other voice. Permits consonances and passing tones, according to specific rules of voice-leading; eighteenth-century style also allows neighbor tones. Another name for 2:1 counterpoint.

Similar motion: Contrapuntal, or voice-leading, motion in which both parts move in the same direction, but not by the same generic interval.

Skip: A melodic interval of a third or fourth.

Step: The melodic interval of a half or whole step.