Customer Reviews

Counterpoint: A Species Approach Based on Schenker's Counterpoint

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While I have both volumes of Schenker's Counterpoint, this book captures the basic technical points without going into too much historical detail, or off on too many tangents. Those who find the presentation in Fux's well-known 18th century volume too confusing, and may also prefer Martin's book. Martin's book is written for a modern audience and it is clear and to the point. In its clarity and precision, it reads a little dry and somewhat pedantic. I have always found that playing counterpoint exercises after writing them and listening to music such as by Bach or Palestrina are the best remedies for any dryness in counterpoint exercises. Likewise here, the reader (that is, the student) must make efforts to make the connection between the rules and exercises presented in this book and great music. The connection is by all means there to be made.

I really enjoyed going through this book to learn counterpoint. It is definitely for someone who is interested in developing the practice, without trying to read more classical resources in more dense language. Definitely an A+!