Contemporary Counterpoint - Theory and Application | Composition and Arranging Techniques for Modern Musicians | Learn Harmony Writing and Creative ... Online Audio (Music Theory: Counterpoint)

This is an up-to-date counterpoint book that discusses all of the issues. There are so many rules in counterpoint, but Beth Denisch explains everything clearly and uses lots of interesting examples to illustrate her points. This book is good for everyone interested in getting better at their counterpoint writing from people just getting into it, to those who have lots of experience. She will teach you the secrets of Bach, so if you want to write like him, or as close as another person can (because he's a genius and you probably are not), get this book!

Beth Denisch’s book Contemporary Counterpoint can be used as a valuable recourse for musicians well-versed in counterpoint and new to counterpoint alike. The book presents material in a logical way, guiding students through the evolution of counterpoint from it’s conception through modern times. All the terminology is defined and presented clearly in a logical direction, accompanied by musical examples. All the examples can be listened to on a website that is included with the book. The examples all sound clear, and being able to hear the material along with a theoretical explanation proved to be extremely valuable. The last few examples are written by students who have taken the on-line class that is used with the book, proving that after taking the class a student will be able to compose on their own. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn or expand their knowledge of counterpoint.

I took the online version of the Counterpoint course as a refresher and loved every minute of it. With Contemporary Counterpoint, I'm so happy to see the same course materials in a book and hope others get as much out of it as I did. For what it's worth, I was Music Theory major and I know all the classic texts. This book is for the musician making music today. If you're a beginner composer and/or performer interested in counterpoint, this really is your best option. And if you're getting back into it, start here so you're up to date and they maybe go back to the pricy Kennan texts. Also, if you love the book, consider taking the online course to hold yourself accountable and write some music. Kudos, Beth!

I guess I thought counterpoint was a harder topic. I've been doing it for years without knowing it. The book is otherwise good, the examples nicely lead the reader through all of the steps and "layers" of writing. It's a little deep in the terms, but I guess someone somewhere decided to standardize what is usually a natural talent. It's hard to teach something that is organic in one's soul The examples from Hal Leanoard help, but they fade out as they play, and I lose the end of longer demo passages.

Beautiful book that covers the basics of counterpoint in an easy to understand way. This book exudes the love and enthusiasm of the author for the subject and her readers. It reminds me of the books written by the great professors of the Eastman school of Music back in the sixties (Howard Hanson, Alfred Mann and Roger) They just cared so much about the subject and their readers understanding of that subject that many of those books have become classics. This book is very much written in the same vane. I highly recommend it.

The book shows you many examples and recommend others for learning from them. It teaches you from the basic to more complex textures. I enjoyed it because it uses a simpler way to teach you.

After finishing the FUX counterpoint book reading this book was a relief 😮‍💨 it’s a good book and easy to understand and learn more

having graduated from Berklee decades ago I have always had a fascination for counterpoint. This is the most satisfying presentation I have come across since my time at Berklee Many years ago

I’ll need my piano teacher to help me with the lessons. I am quite sure l’ll be happy 😃 with the book.

Very helpful.

Lo utilicé para impartir un curso de contrapunto en la universidad y me sirvió bastante.

This book is somewhat misleadingly titled. It is a book about counterpoint as it is found in music works across genres. It is aimed at people who need to understand and recognize counterpoint principles in existing compositions. As such it undoubtedly constitutes valuable lessons in the theory of counterpoint. What it is not, how ever, is a book on how to make use of counterpoint in composing. The 'application' part of the subtitle is how others have applied principles of counterpoint in their compositions, not how you may apply it in your compositions. If you want to learn basic 2-, 3-, and 4-voice counterpoint, this is not the book for you.

Excelente para aprender orquestacion