Introduction

Counter point is two or more melodies moving and harmonising together. Any composition is made up of multiple voices, so understanding how to practically write counterpoint is useful in composition.

Practical methods of creating and playing counterpoint.

On the piano, counterpoint requires more left hand activity, so practicing left hand exercises is going to be beneficial in this area. To learn counterpoint, we're going to start with the keyed modal scale  C Ionian R2 R4 and play both hands together as shown in the finger placement exercises. This pattern is also described as the chord CM7add6.

The left and right hands playing in unison
C >< || RT1 I3 M5 R6 P7

C ><    LP1 R3 M5 I6 T7

The left and right hands mirror  1
C >< || RT1 I3 M5 R6 P7

C ><    LT7 I6 M5 R3 P1

The left and right hands mirror 2
C <> || RP7 R6 M5 I3 T1

C ><    LP1 R3 M5 I6 T7