The Craft of Tonal Counterpoint

The Craft of Tonal Counterpoint is an introduction and workbook for the analysis and composition of tonal counterpoint. Tonal counterpoint is the basis of all classical music composition; students of music theory and composition are all required to take a course on this topic. Using examples from the music of J.S.Bach - the master of this style - the author takes students through a series of carefully graded, cumulative exercises that stress both analysis and writing. Benjamin covers chromaticism and fugal writing in exceptional detail. The exercises cover a wide range of formats, including error detection, liner pitch reduction, analysis and composition. The book also incorporates a 100-page anthology of scores, effective for analysis, in-class performance, and compositional models.