JBF_ Fourth Species Counterpoint

Question 1

General

Answer 1

Fourth species deals with writing suspensions (and syncopations). Because this is only a brief introduction to species counterpoint, you will only encounter the cantus firmus in the lower voice in fourth species in this text.

Question 2

Rule 1

Answer 2

Start with a half rest, then write a half note an 8ve above the cantus firmus. The half note on the 3rd beat of every measure but the penultimate one ties across the barline to a half note on the first beat of the succeeding measure.

Question 3

Rule 2

Answer 3

End on a whole note at the interval of an 8ve above the cantus firmus.

Question 4

Rule 3

Answer 4

The penultimate measure should contain a 7-6 suspension.

Question 5

Rule 4

Answer 5

The half note on the third beat of each measure is always a consonance.

Question 6

Rule 5

Answer 6

If the half note after a tie is a dissonance (4th or 7th), it is a suspension and must resolve down by step.

Allowable suspensions in the upper part are 4-3 and 7-6; 9-8 and 2-1 are not allowed.

Question 7

Rule 6

Answer 7

If the half note after the tie is a consonance (1, 3, 5, 6, 8), it is a syncopation and can be left in any manner (by step or leap in any direction).