Even More About Counterpoint
Particularly 2nd & 3rd Species
While the First Species counterpoint maps notes in a one-to-one relationship, the 2nd and 3rd species counterpoints divide a measure into 2 notes [2:1 counterpoint] and 4 notes [4:1 counterpoint], respectively. Since each measure has more notes, there are differences in the notes’ perceived strength (accents).
In the 2nd species counterpoint, the first beat is accented ( ONE two), while in the 3rd species counterpoint the 1st and 3rd beats are accented (ONE two THREE four). Even though in the 3rd species there are two accents the first note is stronger than the 3rd.
Generally, examples of 2nd and 3rd species counterpoint feature consonant intervals (chord tones) on strong beats, and either consonant or dissonant intervals on the weak beats. The dissonance on the weak beats provides interest.
The amount of notes in a measure presents challenges and new opportunities for embellishing melodies. It is advised to expand the range of the melody to an octave or a tenth. Additionally, there are many techniques to add life to the usual selection of steps, skips, and leaps such as cambiatas, passing notes, neighbor notes, double neighbors.
Similar to 1st species counterpoint, 2nd and 3rd species counterpoints both feature a whole note as the final bar even though the approach to the final bar slightly differently in each method.
Useful Videos about 2nd and 3rd Species Counterpoint
The video below, courtesy of Dr. Jacob Grann, gives the framework for 2nd Species counterpoint.
This video, also by Dr. Grann, demonstrates the framework for 3rd species counterpoint.