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Explore the art of counterpoint, a musical technique in which two or more melodies are combined to create a highly engaging musical texture. Through analysis and practical exercises, you'll learn to write effective counterpoint in the tonal style, focusing on the Baroque period. Leads to part 3 next term. Scheduled break week: 17 Feb 2026.
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Counterpoint is the art of writing two or more independent melodic lines that combine to create effective music. This course explores the principles of contrapuntal technique, providing students with both an insight into this compositional style and practical skills in composition. The course will combine analysis of scores in a variety of styles, and practical exercises which will be reviewed and discussed in class.
Works studied in counterpoint 2:
- Weelkes The Nightingale, the Organ of Delight
- Byrd Fantasia No.1
- Bach French Suite No.2 (Minuet)
- Bach Passacaglia in C minor (extract)
- Monteverdi Lamento D’Arianna.
What will we cover?
- Melodic analysis and melody writing technique
- Develop understanding of rhythmic ratios between melodic lines
- Reviewing harmonic function in tonal context
- Use of non-harmony notes to create dissonance
- Detailed score analysis
- Develop compositional skills in contrapuntal technique.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Identify the mechanics of contrapuntal music
- Analyse contrapuntal music in two or more parts
- Develop greater understanding of rhythmic, melodic and harmonic practice in a contrapuntal context.
- Applying contrapuntal techniques in composition exercises.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
- The course requires a good understanding of music theory (equivalent Grade 6 level or above)
- Some skills with performing on an instrument or voice.
- A familiarity with contrapuntal repertoire will be helpful.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
This is an online course you will need your or tablet with a webcam, microphone and reliable internet connection to take this class. We use GOOGLE CLASSROOM to share messages, documents, audio and video files and for you to submit any homework tasks. We use ZOOM for live classes via webcam.
Your tutor will use a variety of techniques:
- tutor explanation and demonstration via webcam / shared screen
- short revision videos and/or audio files (posted in Google Classroom)
- worksheets (posted in Google Classroom)
- group performing and individual demonstration tasks (e.g. clapping rhythms).
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Manuscript paper, notebook, pen, pencil and eraser.
Other materials will be supplied by the tutor.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
- Music theory: counterpoint 3 follows in the same time slot next term.
- You may also be interested in Music theory (all grades are offered).
- For more details about musicianship and music theory please visit our blog: Musicianship and music theory at City lit which lists our full sequence of musicianship and music theory classes.
Selena began her musical career as a composer, gaining a Dutch Government scholarship to study at the Royal Conservatory, The Hague with Louis Andriessen. As a student she won numerous prizes including BBC Young Composers, resulting in a commission for the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra and BBC Radio 3 broadcasts. She has wide musical interests ranging from Renaissance counterpoint and the origins of tonality to twentieth-century composition techniques and electronic music. Selena performs in an experimental electronic music duo KOGG with Cerys Hogg. They create music by sampling vocals, sound objects, and home-made instruments, combining composed and improvised material. They have performed live and are producing an album. Selena has a keen interest in music pedagogy, particularly the social and cognitive benefits of music education, and is a specialist Kodály practitioner. She is also advisor in further education for the British Kodály Academy. Selena holds BMus (Hons), MMus and PGCE degrees, has held positions at Goldsmiths and Middlesex University and currently teaches at City Lit and Morley College.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/music-theory-counterpoint-2155687Music theory: counterpoint 2https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/https://www.citylit.ac.uk/static/version1752849002/frontend/WilliamsCommerce/citylit/en_GB/Magento_Catalog/images/product/placeholder/image.jpg249249GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Performing arts/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Music theory & musicianship22851314135113591228513141351Explore the art of counterpoint, a musical technique in which two or more melodies are combined to create a highly engaging musical texture. Through analysis and practical exercises, you'll learn to write effective counterpoint in the tonal style, focusing on the Baroque period. Leads to part 3 next term. Scheduled break week: 17 Feb 2026. Counterpoint is the art of writing two or more independent melodic lines that combine to create effective music. This course explores the principles of contrapuntal technique, providing students with both an insight into this compositional style and practical skills in composition. The course will combine analysis of scores from a variety of musical periods, and practical exercises which will be reviewed and discussed in class.251182685Music theory: counterpoint 2249249https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/no_selectionInStockEveningTueOnlineAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-01-13T00:00:00+00:00AdvancedJan 2026Performing artsMG427B249249Music theory: counterpoint 2249174249Selena Kaymusic-theory-counterpoint-2/mg427b-2526Explore the art of counterpoint, a musical technique in which two or more melodies are combined to create a highly engaging musical texture. Through analysis and practical exercises, you'll learn to write effective counterpoint in the tonal style, focusing on the Baroque period. Leads to part 3 next term. Scheduled break week: 17 Feb 2026.0000-Available|2026-01-13 00:00:00Counterpoint is the art of writing two or more independent melodic lines that combine to create effective music. This course explores the principles of contrapuntal technique, providing students with both an insight into this compositional style and practical skills in composition. The course will combine analysis of scores in a variety of styles, and practical exercises which will be reviewed and discussed in class.<br />
<br />
Works studied in counterpoint 2:<br />
- Weelkes The Nightingale, the Organ of Delight<br />
- Byrd Fantasia No.1<br />
- Bach French Suite No.2 (Minuet)<br />
- Bach Passacaglia in C minor (extract)<br />
- Monteverdi Lamento D’Arianna.Explore the art of counterpoint, a musical technique in which two or more melodies are combined to create a highly engaging musical texture. Through analysis and practical exercises, you'll learn to write effective counterpoint in the tonal style, focusing on the Baroque period. Leads to part 3 next term. Scheduled break week: 17 Feb 2026.- Melodic analysis and melody writing technique<br />
- Develop understanding of rhythmic ratios between melodic lines<br />
- Reviewing harmonic function in tonal context<br />
- Use of non-harmony notes to create dissonance<br />
- Detailed score analysis<br />
- Develop compositional skills in contrapuntal technique.- Identify the mechanics of contrapuntal music<br />
- Analyse contrapuntal music in two or more parts<br />
- Develop greater understanding of rhythmic, melodic and harmonic practice in a contrapuntal context.<br />
- Applying contrapuntal techniques in composition exercises.- The course requires a good understanding of music theory (equivalent Grade 6 level or above) <br />
- Some skills with performing on an instrument or voice. <br />
- A familiarity with contrapuntal repertoire will be helpful.This is an online course you will need your or tablet with a webcam, microphone and reliable internet connection to take this class. We use GOOGLE CLASSROOM to share messages, documents, audio and video files and for you to submit any homework tasks. We use ZOOM for live classes via webcam.<br />
<br />
Your tutor will use a variety of techniques:<br />
- tutor explanation and demonstration via webcam / shared screen<br />
- short revision videos and/or audio files (posted in Google Classroom)<br />
- worksheets (posted in Google Classroom)<br />
- group performing and individual demonstration tasks (e.g. clapping rhythms).Manuscript paper, notebook, pen, pencil and eraser.<br />
Other materials will be supplied by the tutor.- Music theory: counterpoint 3 follows in the same time slot next term. <br />
- You may also be interested in Music theory (all grades are offered).<br />
- For more details about musicianship and music theory please visit our blog: <a href=" http://www.citylit.ac.uk/blog/musicianship-music-theory-courses-city-lit " target="_blank"> Musicianship and music theory at City lit </a> which lists our full sequence of musicianship and music theory classes.virtual249249174MG427BNONETue13/01/26 - 24/03/2618:00 - 20:0018:0020:0010 sessions (over 11 weeks)105-10 weeksEveningWeekdayOnlineOnlineSelena KayAdvancedAvailable courses2026-01-13T00:00:00+00:00Jan 2026Performing arts249249Music theory: counterpoint 2music-theory-counterpoint-2/mg427b-2526Explore the art of counterpoint, a musical technique in which two or more melodies are combined to create a highly engaging musical texture. Through analysis and practical exercises, you'll learn to write effective counterpoint in the tonal style, focusing on the Baroque period. Leads to part 3 next term. Scheduled break week: 17 Feb 2026.0000-Available|2026-01-13 00:00:00Counterpoint is the art of writing two or more independent melodic lines that combine to create effective music. This course explores the principles of contrapuntal technique, providing students with both an insight into this compositional style and practical skills in composition. The course will combine analysis of scores in a variety of styles, and practical exercises which will be reviewed and discussed in class.<br />
<br />
Works studied in counterpoint 2:<br />
- Weelkes The Nightingale, the Organ of Delight<br />
- Byrd Fantasia No.1<br />
- Bach French Suite No.2 (Minuet)<br />
- Bach Passacaglia in C minor (extract)<br />
- Monteverdi Lamento D’Arianna.Explore the art of counterpoint, a musical technique in which two or more melodies are combined to create a highly engaging musical texture. Through analysis and practical exercises, you'll learn to write effective counterpoint in the tonal style, focusing on the Baroque period. Leads to part 3 next term. Scheduled break week: 17 Feb 2026.- Melodic analysis and melody writing technique<br />
- Develop understanding of rhythmic ratios between melodic lines<br />
- Reviewing harmonic function in tonal context<br />
- Use of non-harmony notes to create dissonance<br />
- Detailed score analysis<br />
- Develop compositional skills in contrapuntal technique.- Identify the mechanics of contrapuntal music<br />
- Analyse contrapuntal music in two or more parts<br />
- Develop greater understanding of rhythmic, melodic and harmonic practice in a contrapuntal context.<br />
- Applying contrapuntal techniques in composition exercises.- The course requires a good understanding of music theory (equivalent Grade 6 level or above) <br />
- Some skills with performing on an instrument or voice. <br />
- A familiarity with contrapuntal repertoire will be helpful.This is an online course you will need your or tablet with a webcam, microphone and reliable internet connection to take this class. We use GOOGLE CLASSROOM to share messages, documents, audio and video files and for you to submit any homework tasks. We use ZOOM for live classes via webcam.<br />
<br />
Your tutor will use a variety of techniques:<br />
- tutor explanation and demonstration via webcam / shared screen<br />
- short revision videos and/or audio files (posted in Google Classroom)<br />
- worksheets (posted in Google Classroom)<br />
- group performing and individual demonstration tasks (e.g. clapping rhythms).Manuscript paper, notebook, pen, pencil and eraser.<br />
Other materials will be supplied by the tutor.- Music theory: counterpoint 3 follows in the same time slot next term. <br />
- You may also be interested in Music theory (all grades are offered).<br />
- For more details about musicianship and music theory please visit our blog: <a href=" http://www.citylit.ac.uk/blog/musicianship-music-theory-courses-city-lit " target="_blank"> Musicianship and music theory at City lit </a> which lists our full sequence of musicianship and music theory classes.configurable
13591351Music theory & musicianshiphttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/performing-arts/music/music-theory-and-musicianship1/2/285/1314/1351/13591/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Music theory & musicianship
