COUNTERPOINT LESSON

COUNTERPOINT PART 1

Hi my name is Moises Olvera, Im a guitarist from Mxico. Well thanks for read my lesson..
.this time I want to talk about a beautiful composition technique very used in Europe around
centuries XVII and XVIII. Called: COUNTERPOINT it was a technique employed by
composers as J.S.BACH, SYLVIUSS LEOPOLD WEISS, ANTONIO VIVALDI, and many of
their contemporaries.
Exist many forms of contrapuntal structures and we would need an entire textbook to cover
all but this time we will to simplify things and study just a little part about it, counterpoint
is the art of combine simultaneously two or more different melodies, this lesson will try
only a form of counterpoint called instrumental counterpoint free style of two parts,
The basic idea of counterpoint is first; the development of an idea or theme, then the
realization of its contrapuntal melody, and the final presentation of the two melodies
together... fig. 1 is an example of J.S.BACH from a composition called partita bwv 830 in e
minor here you can see how in the acoustic guitar really occurs two melodies one in
the upper voice and the another in the
lower

this is a style of counterpoint very complicated,but well woth the effort,.and its just a
fragment of the entira piece that is exeptonal.
You can listen to a lot of counterpont in the music of JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH,by
example, in the partitas for klavier bwv 825-bwv 830,and in numerous others pieces.
Counterpoint of FREE STYLE
We will note some of the characteristics of this type of counterpoint:

A) The harmony can be consonant or dissonant........

B) The melodic secessions are entirely free adapting to every instrument possibilities...
C) The beginnings and endings can be made at composers own tastes,
D) Either rhythmic combination can be used...
E) Can be used intervals as octaves, fifths thirds, sixths, and the dissonant intervals as
well the chromatics too but moderately
F) the choice of the tones for modulation can be made more freely.
Ok the following is my little composition on counterpoint free style, it has two
guitarists in a harmonic minor tonality...guitar one plays a melody in eights and
fourths, while guitar 2 plays a part in 32ths ..
On measure 3 we play a d minor arpeggio and an a minor arpeggio against a
melody with a F note and an A note as tonal centers..
.then the two guitars equals the note value on measure four, on measures 5 trough 12
guitar 1 plays the same melody two times while guitar 2 first plays a melody
complementing first part and then plays ostinatos in 32ths
On measures 9-10-and 11.....measures 13 trough 16 guitar 1 plays arpeggios in 32ths while
guitar 2 plays slower note groups and ends in 32ths,,,,
the following measures the guitar 1 plays legato arpeggios and guitar 2 plays a
melody in 8ths....
for the last part we use silences and make some kind of imitative counterpoint guitar
1 plays a melody while guitar 2 repeats just a fragment of the same melody but a
perfect fourth above the original in this part the melody on guitar 1 calls the
antecedent and the melody on guitar 2 calls the subsequent, the two melodies played
together forms at certain points cacophonies very strange but it sounds interesting as in
the last part which the subsequent starts a second behind the original antecedent
melody(inverting this makes a maj7) and this sounds some kind of dissonant but still
nice this type of counterpoint calls imitative counterpoint

listen and see the scores for appreciate the indications, well this was our lesson i hope
have been as clear as possible, just think of counterpoint as two melodies combining
together to form a more complex and unique melody...either comment or question
please dont hesitate to write me at moisesolvera@hotmail.com thanks for read
my lesson.
 COUNTERPOINT PART 1
An Etude of Counterpoint
Level: Advanced Written by Moises Olvera Ambriz

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copyright 2005
Sat, Jun 19, 2010, 01:03 PM Generated using the Power Tab Editor by Brad Larsen. http://powertab.guitarnetwork.org
 COUNTERPOINT PART 1 - Artist Page 2 of 4

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Sat, Jun 19, 2010, 01:03 PM Generated using the Power Tab Editor by Brad Larsen. http://powertab.guitarnetwork.org
 COUNTERPOINT PART 1 - Artist Page 3 of 4

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Sat, Jun 19, 2010, 01:03 PM Generated using the Power Tab Editor by Brad Larsen. http://powertab.guitarnetwork.org
 COUNTERPOINT PART 1 - Artist Page 4 of 4

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Sat, Jun 19, 2010, 01:03 PM Generated using the Power Tab Editor by Brad Larsen. http://powertab.guitarnetwork.org
 Biography:

Moises is a guitarist from Mxico, he has played guitar for 19 years and actually keeps
studying harmony and counterpoint.

He has attended guitar clinics in Mxico with guitarists as: DAVID T. CHASTAIN,
MICHAEL HARRIS, JOE STUMP, ALEX MASI, JENNIFER BATTEN,,MICHAEL
ANGELO,YNGWIE MALMSTEEN,GARY HOEY, and MARTY FRIEDMAN.

On July 2004 he participated with his band in the FORCES RISING a concert tribute to
Yngwie. Performing far beyond the sun and you dont remember ill never forget to a
crazy crowd in Mxico City.

Actually his band GUKUMATZ record a six song instrumental demo called LOS GENIOS
DE LA SELVA CHAKCHIKEL which contains instrumental metal music inspired by Mayan
Mythology.

The future plans is composing material for his new record, (by end of 2005) favorite players
are: MIKE CAMPESE, THE KING YNGWIE MALMSTEEN,JASON BECKER,JOEY
TAFOLLA,MARCO FERRIGNO,VITALIJ KUPRIJ,FRANCESCO FARERI,THEODORE
ZIRAS,GREG HOWE,RUSTY COOLEY,HEITHOR VILLALOBOS, HECTOR OTTO
(HETTORY BAND) among a lot more, if you want info please write to :
moisesolvera@hotmail.com