A Treatise on Simple Counterpoint in Forty Lessons

This manual offers a clear, step‑by‑step path into the world of simple counterpoint, aimed at students who already know basic harmony. Each lesson builds on the last, presenting definitions, melodic examples, and plenty of exercises that encourage writing in both open and close score. The author stresses practical craftsmanship, urging learners to see how each voice moves independently yet fits together.

The forty lessons guide readers from the elementary note‑against‑note species through increasingly intricate textures, including two‑part, three‑part, and four‑part writing. While staying true to traditional rules, the book allows certain dissonances—such as prepared sevenths and ninths—in specific contexts, giving a taste of the flexibility found in later styles. With detailed illustrations and optional C‑clef usage, it serves both classroom instruction and self‑directed study, making the art of counterpoint accessible and engaging.