Contrapunkt

Contrapuntal music has two or more separate tunes that are played or sung at the same time.

In the language of music theory, counterpoint is a compositional technique in which two or more melodic lines (or "voices") complement one another but act independently. The term comes from the Latin punctus contra punctum, which means "point against point." Composers use counterpoint to create polyphonic music.

An example of a musical form that employs counterpoint is the fugue. It was the first form to use the counterpoint method to full effect. In a fugue, the treble and bass clef take turns carrying the melody and the harmony, switching from one to the other. Bach is famous for perfecting the fugue.

polyphony, in music, the simultaneous combination of two or more tones or melodic lines (the term derives from the Greek word for “many sounds”).

Contrapuntal reading means reading a text "with an understanding of what is involved when an author shows, for instance, that a colonial sugar plantation is seen as important to the process of maintaining a particular style of life in England" (Said 66).

CONTRAPUNTAL FORMS: Situation, Dance by Chance, Canon (Round), Ground Bass and Fugue.

1. a. : a complementing or contrasting item : opposite. b. : use of contrast or interplay of elements in a work of art (such as a drama)

Simply stated, counterpoint is just a fancy term for one or more melodies that are added either above or below another melody and played together. The name counterpoint is derived from the Latin term contrapunctus; contra meaning counter (or another) and Punctus meaning melody. So melody against melody.

formal : something that is different from something else in usually a pleasing way. [count] The dressing is a refreshing counterpoint to the spicy chicken. The painting is a pleasant counterpoint to his earlier works.

The word homophonic comes from the Greek words homo (meaning same or similar) and phonic (meaning sound or voice). Homophonic music refers to music that has one sound or line of melody being played by multiple instruments at the same time. One instrument plays one note, and a second instrument plays a note in harmony.

consisting of many voices or sounds. Music. having two or more voices or parts, each with an independent melody, but all harmonizing; contrapuntal (opposed to homophonic). pertaining to music of this kind.

Polyphonic. A musical texture where two or more parts move independently of each other. Contrapuntal. Two or more independent melodic lines performed at the same time.