Getting Started with Counterpoint Composer
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James L. Weaver
Developer / Evangelist
Twitter: @JavaFXpert
Email: jweaver@pivotal.io
http://JavaFXpert.com
http://CulturedEar.com
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@JavaFXpert
About the Presenter
Author of several Java/JavaFX/RaspPi books
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Java Champion, JavaOne Rockstar, plays well with others, etc. :-)
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@JavaFXpert
About the Presenter
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@JavaFXpert
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"I see people going to college for 14 years studying to be doctors and lawyers.
I see people getting up at seven-thirty every morning going to work at the drug store to sell Flair pens.
But the most amazing thing to me is I get paid for doing this."
- Steve Martin in Let's Get Small
I can relate to Steve Martin's sentiment:
Mission: "Transform how the world builds software"
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@JavaFXpert
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Mission: "Transform how the world builds software"
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@JavaFXpert
What is counterpoint?
"The relationship between voices that are interdependent harmonically yet independent in rhythm and contour"
Tip: For a gentle introduction to counterpoint, check out the Species Counterpoint article by Nicholas H. Tollervey
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/396450/images/2362760/4080a2492514766cbfaddd717b4b0ab5e761b277_pivotal_logo.png)
@JavaFXpert
Counterpoint example
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/396450/images/1880985/counterpoint-third-species-dorian.png)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/396450/images/2362760/4080a2492514766cbfaddd717b4b0ab5e761b277_pivotal_logo.png)
@JavaFXpert
Listen for interdependent harmonies and independent rhythms & contour
Text
Italian Renaissance composer of sacred music
- Created Palestrina-style counterpoint
- Best known 16th-century representative of the Roman School of musical composition
- Influenced music of composers such as Johann Sebastian Bach
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/396450/images/2352703/image.jpeg)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/396450/images/2362760/4080a2492514766cbfaddd717b4b0ab5e761b277_pivotal_logo.png)
@JavaFXpert
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/396450/images/1907632/Johann_Joseph_Fux.jpg)
Born in Austria, Johann codified Palestrina's techniques in the 1700s, calling it species-counterpoint, mainly for teaching students.
- Published in Gradus ad Parnassum
- Describe valid pitch and rhythmic relationships between notes
- Influenced music of Hayden, Mozart and Beethoven
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/396450/images/2362760/4080a2492514766cbfaddd717b4b0ab5e761b277_pivotal_logo.png)
@JavaFXpert
Composers such as Chopin were indirectly influenced by Johan Fux
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/396450/images/2605871/Screen_Shot_2016-05-13_at_1.03.25_AM.png)
from ConceptMap.io
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@JavaFXpert
"Wlazł kotek na płotek" cantus firmus
This will be our main melody
Wlazł kotek na płotek i mruga,
ładna to piosenka niedługa.
Let's jump right in with a demo in which Counterpoint Creator writes counterpoint for a simple melody
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/396450/images/2605744/Screen_Shot_2016-05-13_at_12.22.50_AM.png)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/396450/images/2362760/4080a2492514766cbfaddd717b4b0ab5e761b277_pivotal_logo.png)
@JavaFXpert
"Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" cantus firmus
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/396450/images/1880986/twinkle-cantus-firmus.png)
This will be our main melody
Brilla brilla una stellina, su nel cielo piccolina
Let's jump right in with a demo in which Counterpoint Creator writes counterpoint for a simple melody
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/396450/images/2362760/4080a2492514766cbfaddd717b4b0ab5e761b277_pivotal_logo.png)
@JavaFXpert
Funkel, funkel, kleiner Stern
Demo: Create counterpoint (first-species) for
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Now let's review the steps from the demo
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/396450/images/2362760/4080a2492514766cbfaddd717b4b0ab5e761b277_pivotal_logo.png)
@JavaFXpert
"Wlazł kotek na płotek" cantus firmus including initial chord
Initial chord contains number of voices and their starting notes
To enter these notes into the staff:
- Click the Clear menu item to clear the staff
- Click the piano icon to reveal the piano keyboard:
- Click in the staff to give it focus:
- While pressing the shift-key, click each of the notes in the initial chord
- Release the shift key and click the remaining notes
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/396450/images/1881141/piano-keyboard-icon.png)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/396450/images/1881155/staff-empty.png)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/396450/images/2605941/Screen_Shot_2016-05-13_at_1.34.37_AM.png)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/396450/images/2362760/4080a2492514766cbfaddd717b4b0ab5e761b277_pivotal_logo.png)
@JavaFXpert
"Twinkle" cantus firmus including initial chord
Initial chord contains number of voices and their starting notes
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/396450/images/1880987/twinkle-cantus-firmus-including-chord.png)
To enter these notes into the staff:
- Click the Clear menu item to clear the staff
- Click the piano icon to reveal the piano keyboard:
- Click in the staff to give it focus:
- While pressing the shift-key, click each of the notes in the initial chord
- Release the shift key and click the remaining notes
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/396450/images/1881141/piano-keyboard-icon.png)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/396450/images/1881155/staff-empty.png)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/396450/images/2362760/4080a2492514766cbfaddd717b4b0ab5e761b277_pivotal_logo.png)
@JavaFXpert
Twinkle first-species counterpoint
Cantus firmus is automatically converted to whole notes, and melodies are placed on separate staves
To achieve similar results, in the menubar:
- Verify that First species is selected
- Verify that Ionian mode is selected
- Click the Compose menu item
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/396450/images/1881263/twinkle-counterpoint.png)
Clicking the Listen button will play the composition:
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/396450/images/1881343/noteflight-listen-button.png)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/396450/images/2362760/4080a2492514766cbfaddd717b4b0ab5e761b277_pivotal_logo.png)
@JavaFXpert
To learn more about first-species counterpoint, check out:
For pointers on composing a cantus firmus, check out:
- Counterpoint, First species (Wikipedia)
- Composing a first-species counterpoint (Open Music Theory)
- Composing a cantus firmus (Open Music Theory)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/396450/images/2362760/4080a2492514766cbfaddd717b4b0ab5e761b277_pivotal_logo.png)
@JavaFXpert
Twinkle second-species counterpoint
Second species contains half-notes in counter-melodies
To achieve similar results, in the menubar:
- Select Second species
- Verify that Ionian mode is selected
- Click the Compose menu item
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/396450/images/1883921/twinkle-second-species-counterpoint.png)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/396450/images/2362760/4080a2492514766cbfaddd717b4b0ab5e761b277_pivotal_logo.png)
@JavaFXpert
Demo: Create second-species counterpoint for
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
To learn more about second-species counterpoint, check out:
- Counterpoint, Second species (Wikipedia)
- Composing a second-species counterpoint (Open Music Theory)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/396450/images/2362760/4080a2492514766cbfaddd717b4b0ab5e761b277_pivotal_logo.png)
@JavaFXpert
Twinkle third-species counterpoint
Third species contains quarter-notes in counter-melodies
To achieve similar results, in the menubar:
- Select Third species
- Verify that Ionian mode is selected
- Click the Compose menu item
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/396450/images/1885397/twinkle-third-species-counterpoint.png)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/396450/images/2362760/4080a2492514766cbfaddd717b4b0ab5e761b277_pivotal_logo.png)
@JavaFXpert
Demo: Creating third-species counterpoint for Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
To learn more about third-species counterpoint, check out:
- Counterpoint, Third species (Wikipedia)
- Composing a third-species counterpoint (Open Music Theory)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/396450/images/2362760/4080a2492514766cbfaddd717b4b0ab5e761b277_pivotal_logo.png)
@JavaFXpert
Twinkle fourth-species counterpoint
Fourth species contains sustained half-notes in counter-melodies
To achieve similar results, in the menubar:
- Select Fourth species
- Verify that Ionian mode is selected
- Click the Compose menu item
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/396450/images/1885538/twinkle-fourth-species-counterpoint.png)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/396450/images/2362760/4080a2492514766cbfaddd717b4b0ab5e761b277_pivotal_logo.png)
@JavaFXpert
Demo: Creating fourth-species counterpoint for Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
To learn more about fourth-species counterpoint, check out:
- Counterpoint, Fourth species (Wikipedia)
- Composing a fourth-species counterpoint (Open Music Theory)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/396450/images/2362760/4080a2492514766cbfaddd717b4b0ab5e761b277_pivotal_logo.png)
@JavaFXpert
Twinkle fifth-species counterpoint
Fifth species combines first through fourth + eighth notes & rests
To achieve similar results, in the menubar:
- Select Fifth species
- Verify that Ionian mode is selected
- Click the Compose menu item
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/396450/images/1885614/twinkle-fifth-species-counterpoint.png)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/396450/images/2362760/4080a2492514766cbfaddd717b4b0ab5e761b277_pivotal_logo.png)
@JavaFXpert
Demo: Fifth-species counterpoint for
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
To learn more about fifth-species counterpoint, check out:
- Counterpoint, Fifth species (Wikipedia)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/396450/images/2362760/4080a2492514766cbfaddd717b4b0ab5e761b277_pivotal_logo.png)
@JavaFXpert
Exploring Modes
Using the mode selector
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/396450/images/2362760/4080a2492514766cbfaddd717b4b0ab5e761b277_pivotal_logo.png)
@JavaFXpert
Composing in Dorian mode
Start/end the cantus firmus with a D note and select Dorian mode
The same idea holds true for all modes:
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/396450/images/1886566/example-first-species-dorian.png)
Mode | Start/end note |
---|---|
Ionian | C |
Dorian | D |
Phrygian | E |
Lydian | F |
Mixolydian | G |
Aeolian | A |
Locrian | B |
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/396450/images/2362760/4080a2492514766cbfaddd717b4b0ab5e761b277_pivotal_logo.png)
@JavaFXpert
Demo: Composing counterpoint
in Dorian mode
Changing the Rules
Examine the counterpoint rules and results of altering them
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/396450/images/2362760/4080a2492514766cbfaddd717b4b0ab5e761b277_pivotal_logo.png)
@JavaFXpert
Modifying counterpoint rules
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/396450/images/1887307/counterpoint-rules-dialog.png)
There are 70+ counterpoint rules, categorized by importance, that may be toggled to see their effect on the counter-melodies
Toggling a counterpoint rule
One such rule is to avoid unisons in two-part counterpoint. Here we've toggled it so that the rule is not in effect.
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/396450/images/1887315/counterpoint-rules-dialog-toggled.png)
The effects of disabling the avoid unisons rule
Here is our most recent composition before disabling the rule:
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/396450/images/1886566/example-first-species-dorian.png)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/396450/images/1887325/example-first-species-dorian-unison-ending.png)
Here is the composition after disabling the "avoid unisons" rule:
Note that the final measure now contains D notes in unison, and that most of Melody 2 has changed as a result.
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/396450/images/2362760/4080a2492514766cbfaddd717b4b0ab5e761b277_pivotal_logo.png)
@JavaFXpert
Demo: Toggling a counterpoint rule, and its effect on a counter-melody
Getting Started with Counterpoint Composer
http://CounterpointComposer.com
Hope you enjoyed
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James L. Weaver
Developer / Evangelist
Twitter: @JavaFXpert
Email: jweaver@pivotal.io
http://JavaFXpert.com
http://CulturedEar.com
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/media-p.slid.es/uploads/396450/images/2362760/4080a2492514766cbfaddd717b4b0ab5e761b277_pivotal_logo.png)