Counterpoint

COUNTERPOINT is ‘the art of combining melodies.’ Its name arose from the ancient system of notation by points or ‘pricks.’ When one set of points was added to another, to signify the simultaneous performance of various melodies agreeing in harmony, it was called ‘point against point’—i. e. contrapunctum, or counterpoint. Counterpoint is usually divided into two kinds—plain and double—and each of these is subdivided into various orders or species. There are very stringent rules about the use...