ABSTRACT

First Published in 2003. The Craft of Tonal Counterpoint is an introductory text to the analysis and composition of tonal counterpoint. Using examples from the music of J.S. Bach - the master of this style - the author takes students through a series of carefully graded, cumulative exercises that stress both analysis and writing. Benjamin covers chromaticism and fugal writing in exceptional detail. The exercises cover a wide range of formats, including error detection, linear pitch reduction, analysis and composition. The book also incorporates a 100-page anthology of scores, effective for analysis, in-class performance, and compositional models.

chapter 1|38 pages

Line and Other Elements of Style

chapter 2|38 pages

Nonimitative Two-Voice Writing

chapter 3|12 pages

Chromaticism in Two Voices

chapter 4|8 pages

Composition of Binary Dance Forms

chapter 5|10 pages

Double (Invertible) Counterpoint

chapter 6|16 pages

Imitation; Canon

chapter 7|19 pages

The Two-Voice Invention

chapter 10|23 pages

Fugue I

chapter 11|33 pages

Fugue n

chapter 12|16 pages

Four-Voice Counterpoint

chapter 13|9 pages

Variation Form s