Lesson 14 - Simple Counterpoint in three parts - Fourth Species

[MaestroX]

FOURTH SPECIES

Fig.116.


When the syncopation is a suspension or retardation, it is treated the same as in harmony.

The retardation should always be prepared by the leading-tone.
When the syncopated note belongs to the harmony of the measure, it may be left by a skip or stepwise progression. [Fig. 117.]

Fig.117.


The third may be omitted on the strong beat in this species, provided the part having fourth species skips to the missing third, as at Fig. 117a.

Consecutive fifths, but not octaves, are saved by the suspension. Whenever they occur, do not use the note of resolution as [38] preparation of a suspension, or tie it into the next measure (a), since it is really the passing seventh, and that does not lend itself well to either of the above, except in sequence as at b. [Fig. 118.]

Fig.118.


The seventh or ninth of a chord, except the major seventh, may be used as preparation of a suspension when approached by a skip in an upward direction, as in Fig. 119.

Fig.119.


This species may also be written in triple rhythm. [Fig. 120.]

Fig.120.


The cadences in Fig. 121 are good, as well as those of the second species.

Fig.121.