Definition of counterpoint Counterpoint

/kawˈntɚpɔjˌnt/ - [kawnterpoynt] - coun•ter•point

We found 15 definitions of counterpoint from 7 different sources.

What does counterpoint mean?

WordNet

Noun Plural: counterpoints
counterpoint - a musical form involving the simultaneous sound of two or more melodies
		concerted music, polyphonic music, polyphony music arranged in parts for several voices or instruments
Verb counterpoints, counterpointing, counterpointed
counterpoint - write in counterpoint; "Bach perfected the art of counterpointing"
		compose, write put together out of existing material; "compile a list"
		music musical activity (singing or whistling etc.); "his music was his central interest"
counterpoint - to show differences when compared; be different; "the students contrast considerably in their artistic abilities"
		contrast
		differ be different; "These two tests differ in only one respect"
		counterbalance, oppose be against; express opposition to; "We oppose the ban on abortion"
		conflict go against, as of rules and laws; "He ran afoul of the law"; "This behavior conflicts with our rules"
		foil cover or back with foil; "foil mirrors"

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Wiktionary

counterpoint (Noun)
A melody added to an existing one, especially one added to provide harmony whilst each retains its simultaneous identity; a composition consisting of such contrapuntal melodies.
counterpoint (Noun)
Any similar contrasting element in a work of art .
counterpoint (Verb)
To compose or arrange such music.

Webster DictionaryWebster's Unabridged Dictionary 📘

counterpoint (n.)
An opposite point
counterpoint (n.)
The setting of note against note in harmony; the adding of one or more parts to a given canto fermo or melody
counterpoint (n.)
The art of polyphony, or composite melody, i. e., melody not single, but moving attended by one or more related melodies.
counterpoint (n.)
Music in parts; part writing; harmony; polyphonic music. See Polyphony.
counterpoint (n.)
A coverlet; a cover for a bed, often stitched or broken into squares; a counterpane. See 1st Counterpane.

OmegaWiki DictionaryOmegaWiki Dictionary Ω

counterpoint
In music, the combination of two or more melodic lines played against one another.

Chambers DictionaryChamber's 20th Century Dictionary 📕

counterpoint
kown′tėr-point, n. (mus.) the art of combining melodies: the setting of a harmony of one or more parts to a melody: the art of composition.—adj. Contrapunt′al.—n. Contrapunt′ist. [Fr.,—contre, against, point, a point.]

Wikipedia

Counterpoint is the art of composing music by combining different parts (voices) in a way that sounds nice. Music composed like this is called contrapuntal.

If the tune of "Twinkle, twinkle little star" is played on the piano and then some chords are added, this is harmony, not counterpoint.

A different way of playing it would be to start the tune with the right hand. Then, in the second bar (measure), as the fifth note is played, the left hand starts to play the tune an octave lower. This works well for a time, but in the fifth bar (on the word “Up” in the right hand part) it starts to get dissonant (sounding unpleasant), so changes need to made to the left hand to make it sound nicer. This way of writing with a particular number of parts (in this case: two) is called "contrapuntal music".

In that example the left hand imitated the right hand at first. This is called imitation.

If the second part had continued to imitate all the way through the piece it would have been a canon. But “Twinkle, twinkle” does not work well as a canon. One famous canon is by Thomas Tallis. A canon that can be repeated is called a round. This is all contrapuntal music.

Counterpoint does not have to have imitation, although it often does. The important thing is that each part (i.e. each voice) is equally important. It is not one part singing the tune and the rest just accompanying.

Counterpoint does not have to be one note against one note. There can be two or more notes in one part against one in

Part of speech

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counterpoint, verb, present, 1st person singular of counterpoint (infinitive).
counterpoint, verb (infinitive).
counterpoint, noun, singular of counterpoints.