Counterpoint

Question 1

Fugal Subject

Answer 1

In the first section, always included, is the exposition, during which the principal theme or subject is stated successively in each of the constituent voices or parts. The first statement of the subject is in one voice alone.

Question 2

Real answer

Answer 2

The answer is the restatement of the subject in the key of the dominant. If the statement contains no alteration of intervals, then it is a real answer.

Question 3

Tonal answer

Answer 3

The answer is the restatement of the subject in the key of the dominant. If the statement contains alterations of intervals, then it is a tonal answer.

Question 4

Countersubject

Answer 4

A countersubject is a counterpoint that consistently accompanies each occurrence of the subject. A countersubject must appear more than once without significant modification to be regarded as such. Otherwise, it would be considered a non-repeating free counterpoint without establishing a pattern of expectation.

Question 5

Fugal exposition

Answer 5

A fugue begins with the exposition of its subject in one of the voices alone in the tonic key. After the statement of the subject, a second voice enters and states the subject with the subject transposed to another key (usually the dominant or subdominant), which is known as the answer.

Question 6

Episode

Answer 6

Episodes frequently provide tonal transitions for the subject to appear in a new mode or key. In a fugue with multiple episodes, an episode is typically related to others creating another mechanism for a relationship, contrast, or development. Not all subject-free passages are episodes.

Question 7

Stretto

Answer 7

This is the imitation of the subject in close succession so that the answer enters before the subject is completed.

Question 8

Retrograde

Answer 8

The entire subject is heard back-to-front.