How do you write counterpoint below cantus firmus?

How do you write counterpoint below cantus firmus?

Thus, when writing a counterpoint above a cantus firmus, the first note of the counterpoint should be do or sol (a P1, P5, or P8 above the cantus). When writing a counterpoint below a cantus firmus, the first note of the counterpoint must always be do (P1 or P8 below the cantus).

What does cantus firmus mean in music?

A cantus firmus is a preexistent melody that forms the basis of a larger musical work. Source melodies in the cantus firmus tradition have generally been selected from the vast corpus of plainchant, but secular tunes also provide a supply of monophony for use.

How do you write a good cantus firmus?

The following characteristics are typical of all well formed cantus firmi:

1. length of about 8–16 notes.
2. arhythmic (all whole notes; no long or short notes)
3. begin and end on do.
4. approach final tonic by step (usually re–do, sometimes ti–do)
5. all note-to-note progressions are melodic consonances.

How do you use cantus firmus?

The cantus firmus is traditionally written in alto clef, beginning and ending on the tonic of the key. The note durations are of equal value, with the whole note being the traditional value.

Why is cantus firmus important?

The use of a borrowed cantus firmus as the basis for a composition has played an important role in our western musical tradition, both in the development of musical composition and in the pedagogy of counterpoint. One of the manifestations of this compositional practice is the use of a chorale or chant in organ music.

Is cantus a firmus melody?

Cantus firmus, (Latin: “fixed song”, ) plural Cantus Firmi, preexistent melody, such as a plainchant excerpt, underlying a polyphonic musical composition (one consisting of several independent voices or parts).

What is cantus firmus quizlet?

Cantus Firmus. an existing melody used as the basis for a polyphonic composition often taken from a gregorian chant. Fixed Melody. Humanism. Renaissance movement based on the revival of ancient Greek and Roman culture and to study this pertaining to human knowlege and experience through independent thought.

Is the counterpoint above or below the cantus firmus?

In first species counterpoint, we begin with a cantus firmus (new or existing) and compose a single new line–called the counterpoint –above or below the cantus firmus. That new line contains one note for every note in the cantus; both the cantus firmus and the counterpoint will consist of only whole notes.

What kind of music is a cantus firmus?

Exercises in strict voice-leading, or species counterpoint, begin with a single, well formed musical line called the cantus firmus (fixed voice, or fixed melody; pl. cantus firmi ). Cantus firmus composition gives us the opportunity to engage the following fundamental musical traits:

Which is the first note in a first species counterpoint?

Beginning a first-species counterpoint To exemplify goal-oriented motion, the first-species exercise should begin and end with the most stable of sonorities: perfect consonances. Thus, when writing a counterpoint above a cantus firmus, the first note of the counterpoint should be do or sol (a P1, P5, or P8 above the cantus).

What is the final note of a counterpoint?

The final note of the counterpoint must always be do (P1 or P8 above/below the cantus). To approach this ending smoothly, with variety, and with strong goal orientation, always approach the final interval by contrary stepwise motion. If the cantus ends re – do, the counterpoint’s final two pitches should be ti – do.