What is Counterpoint? Free Music Lessons

[@andreyutiamco9201]

I love how happy this man is. I hope I'm like that when I grow older.

[@andreyutiamco9201]

***** Definitely. Stress kills. XD

[@ElisandroDeLeon]

why wait?

[@rbrtck]

But inside he is crying, living a life of quiet desperation (reference to Thoreau) like the rest of us. Nah, I'm just kidding, he's doing the job and living the life he loves, and perhaps most importantly for anyone, he chooses to be happy. I'm not saying that the latter alone is sufficient, but it is often the missing element for many people.

[@arthurias7693]

try cocaine

[@episteme666]

you cant tell if a person is happy from merely getting the feel of it.

[@johncrossing]

Piano Lessons by Mark Hamill!

[@DJWISS83]

sir! you made my day! lol

[@KieranSampson]

I was thinking this. Scrolled down to make the comment and you'd beaten me to it. :)

[@jamesonvandusen46]

I was thinking this the whole time! Wonderful lesson, beautiful playing and examples.

[@DarkoP9.13]

Looks and sounds similar. Hahahahaaha

[@splabbity]

Gene Roddenberry

[@IDontReadReplies42069]

1:46 - looks at invisible sheet music

[@whosaidthat84]

Only he can see it

[@metaviewx2091]

Virtual sheet music

[@peek-a-boo5190]

What if I told you that he *IS* the sheet music himself

[@Hexspa]

@@metaviewx2091 .com

[@southpark4151]

It is cheating for sure. Having a photographic or computer memory built into the brain - is cheating. It's unfair for us 'mere' ....... ok ... as cliche as it sounds ..... mortals.

[@NathanaelXavier]

A brilliant way of explaining counterpoint! Up till today, I have always heard that term used everywhere but had NO idea what it meant. Thanks for the video Robert!

[@johndiraimo1444]

However, in early counterpoint the practice of creating a good counterpoint line also followed strick rules. There's reference to the 5 different species of counterpoint... a practice used for helping to shape and understand the options for creating a 2nd melody or counterpoint line. This is what gave Baroque music it's certain sound. In later periods the rules were relaxed a little more thus giving the composer a little more freedom to create the counter melody.

[@arn3107]

​@@johndiraimo1444 ah yes... more complicated stuff... just like how it is with music but hey it also means more possibilities! thanks for sharing!

[@DannyWJaco]

Excellent presentation: quick and to the point. So many lessons online bore you with too much background info; and many times the speaker goes on and on with "um", "aaaa", trying to figure out what to say next. None of that here! Thank you...I will experiment with counterpoint in my own playing.

[@keitharoo1962]

Finally, someone who can explain it to me clearly and simply. Thank you for taking the time to teach us.

[@Rickeeey1]

I see it this way: Every piece of music with that is not monophonic has both counterpoint and harmony to varying degrees. Sometimes there's a kind of balance, other times it's almost entirely harmony (such as melody with chordal accompaniment) and other times it's almost entirely counterpoint (think early medieval counterpoint). In most cases the degrees of counterpoint and harmony varies throughout a composition

[@JesseBFournier]

Indeed, and what you said about counterpoint and harmony can be said about harmony and orchestration. Many musical disciplines can be isolated but all of them, when they are exploited with expression and craftsmanship, tend to merge with another discipline. Melody becomes counterpoint, counterpoint becomes harmony,harmony unlocks forms when we consider temporal application and orchestration in it's detailed instantaneous application, orchestration then, enhances melodic character and perception of form when mere feasibility is overcome.

[@XloH911]

I learnt music theory and piano as a kid and teen. I still play, but years later I have forgotten a lot of my theory. I just woke up from a nightmare where i was sitting in a music theory exam and one of the questions was 'what is counterpoint?'. I was so aggravated that i woke up yelling about it and scared the living daylights out of my partner. I had completely forgotten about counterpoint and your video has helped resolve my dilemna. Thank you!

[@arn3107]

haha i can only imagine how funny it would be to be woken up by your partner screaming about not knowing what a counterpoint is

[@Meeeeeeeeeeees]

I think the Chopin prelude is composed with counterpoint in mind. The distinction between melody and accompanying is mainly created with the rhythm.

[@mastersofharmonica6200]

I am a professional musician and academic, this lesson is superb, a clear and concise definition of counterpoint. Bravo! Mark.

[@taz-on-the-looseyusef5526]

ive been looking for this wonderful gentleman, everytime im stuck he always lifts me up from the muddy day, he makes me appreciate life because he is full of life, with love from Botswana

[@moofy7624]

Man... If my childhood piano teacher had half of your talent and enthusiasm, Id have happily learned years ago! Great energy you have, sir! Many thanks for the lesson

[@rubenabrams]

Thank you so much for this beautiful explanation. I have played music for the past 65 years of my 72 years of life! (mostly by ear!) but never had an understanding of counterpoint. Thank you very much for the clarification.

[@tylerthompson1842]

It takes serious talent to right beautiful counterpoint that works on a musical and mathematical level. It’s the pinnacle of creativity. I always wondered if Composers are able to hear all the parts working simultaneously in their head, or are they mapping it out on the staff? It’s a musical superpower.

[@southpark4151]

It is true. For example ----- the european music has lots of incredible counterpoint ---- and - just noting - with full respect - that for example --- the music of say india has pretty much no counterpoint --- which is just melody with some percussion in the background.

[@Zvn1c]

I am only looking up fugues and counterpoints because of a short story called Entropy by Pynchon talks about a fugue. This is the only video that made sense. One of the best ways of explaining what something is, is by explaining what it's NOT. Opening with the Mozart and Chopin part made this so much easier to understand. Nice job.

[@catabol]

This was a perfect explanation. Even though I have absolutely no musical training of any type at all, I clearly understood what counterpoint is. Thank you sir for this excellent video.

[@moonflow5133]

This guys voice is pure magic. Great teaching and enthusiasm! I'm implementing this into my music.

[@DadsLife67]

Robert, I've been a lover of classical music since high school. Beethoven's 6th Symphony and Vivaldi's Four Seasons where the two pieces that did it! Thirty years later music theory gives new beauty to the many pieces I've enjoyed for so long. Your ability to explain is greatly appreciated!!

[@ZachJames]

By far the best explanation of couterpoint I've ever seen. Thank you so much.

[@ticainsell3607]

That is beautifully played Bach, good demonstration!

[@RonBilevich]

thank you robert! a really good teacher teaches with lots of heart and passion, and that is you!

[@LivingPianosVideos]

Ron Bilevich Thanks for the kind words

[@tomey9577]

Steve Reich Vermont

[@Rupert_Common]

great little lecture! energy is high and engaging and nice piano work. thanks a bunch

[@laroccacounty1]

This cat is a true talent.

[@Pax30001]

Your playing is Beautiful! Thank you for sharing :)

[@NoName-uf6rf]

You make me so happy inside I need a picture of you above my keyboard

[@jacobmangombe]

Very short and up to the point explanation, easy to grasp.

[@suedurrant6798]

Brilliantly explained - thank you for bringing insight to a subject that is so dry when you read about it.

[@ramesh0785]

You are my real teacher.

[@alinagoecka1319]

At last a simple and beautiful explanation! Thank you so much!

[@wesleybritzmargaja76]

Concise explanation. Thank you.

[@RamachandranS20]

Thank you. First time I understood what a counterpoint is.

[@jpalvarez4972]

3:20 - It visibly takes Mr. Estrin a couple seconds to disengage genius mode. This was quite the lesson.

[@CO_Raptor]

Wow... Straight to the point, helpful content, and didn't go overboard for the 10 minutes ad revenue. THANK YOU, YOU JUST GAINED A SUB GOOD SIR!

[@HeidiBird]

Thank you! You have just clarified an age-old mystery for me: the reason why I never liked Baroque music, even from a very young age. I always felt it was chaotic and now I know the answer to both of those things: it's because it doesn't have a clear melody to follow. Paradoxically, I feel this will make me appreciate this style of music more in the future, while also getting rid of that irksome feeling of wrong-ness that was always bothering me when listening to it.

[@Lieutenant_Dude]

Counterpoint is the ultimate test for how well you’ve disconnected your hands from each other.

[@allegory6393]

Thank you so much for this. Concise and clear explanation.

[@smileyfrown4784]

Counterpoint always gets me. I love songs that utilize it

[@russellgibson5013]

Wow your brain is filled with great knowledge. You are admired by many Thank you thank you, for this education.

[@davidll1984]

Thank you very much for the clear explanation.

[@IrizarryBrandon]

The excerpt from the Toccata in E Minor was inspiring, it pretty much made the video, thanks!

[@danielatoledo5671]

This was a great explanation with beautiful examples. Thank you!

[@gerardocorrea9559]

I learn something new evertime I watch your videos. Thanks so much.

[@CinematicLaboratory]

Learned something new today! Thanks!

[@derik2nicolai584]

A real good musician and teacher.

[@SiUlung]

All in one take. Brilliant!!

[@BBFPV]

Thank you, I have just learned more than in 6 years of music lessons

[@Inhumed]

This is a good video - plain, simple, short. Good job!

[@kanyekubrick5391]

I love your vibrant personality

[@Alwpiano]

Before knowing the term "counterpoint" or "contrapuntal," I used to call it "weaving in and out" or "entwined". Now I see why I find Toccata and Fugue tricky.

[@LivingPianosVideos]

Fugues can be very tricky! livingpianos.com/what-is-a-fugue-bach-toccata-in-e-minor/

[@Darchyism]

Thank you for such a clear example and explanation

[@rodabergsskolanstudentwork4659]

Darchyism (=

[@DirtyTechnoBitch]

Thank you, great teacher and beautiful artistry.

[@tallswede80]

this is the most superior form of music

[@michaelwecker6854]

great explained. Short & simple

[@justinschouten6474]

I was shook when he started playing that Mozart piece on the piano But I like the way he explained counterpoint so enthusiastically; I love to see that experienced, passionate, old man talking about classical music Thank you very much for explaining Robert!

[@ChristopherFontes]

Thank you! When Einstein Walked with Gödel brought me here. I stayed because you are a great teacher!

[@catherinewilliams1302]

Very happy lecturer, thanks you just made my understanding easy. Straight to the point.

[@danroberts9050]

All great music choices but I have to say, the Bach with the counterpoint was beautiful.

[@rustycalvera977]

breathtaking beautiful....and explained so straightforward .....thank you

[@findyourownusername]

Fantastic explanation! Very much appreciated.

[@southpark4151]

Robert ----- it always amazes me to see somebody (like you) have memory and accuracy and precision of a machine/computer ----- when playing the piano!!!!! It is hard to imagine how it is possible. But seeing with our eyes - is believing. I also agree with the people here that you do look like Luke Skywalker.

[@Anne-tp7ny]

I am taking an intro to Music class. You made this concept very easy to understand. Thank you

[@grahamfisher9386]

Thanks Robert, that was a wonderfully clear & well illustrated explanation.

[@slowjamcdub]

True love is the souls recognition of its counterpoint another.

[@luckylenny2506]

Great job of explaining, Rob!

[@lindamcdermott2205]

Best clearest explanation of counterpoint I have ever heard!

[@mattredmond2883]

Thank you so much! This really helped me understand counterpoint better... really beautiful playing as well

[@obclouds]

I don't get why people could dislike this...

[@erik878]

I've written like 5 pieces this month, the fantasy in g major, and 4 italian dances

[@tomswan2784]

Clear, instructive & cheerful. Thanks for the lesson.

[@misscoffeecup]

Excellent class, excellent teacher....

[@Erikthegreat99]

This man is brilliant, sweet, and a fantastic teacher! I'm so happy that I stumbled upon this video on counterpoint. Made me smile and reminded me of some of the information that I learned during AP music theory. Cheers to awesome educators like this!

[@LivingPianosVideos]

Thanks for the vote of confidence! I am working on more in depth online programs and in a recent poll found many people are interested in music theory.

[@Erikthegreat99]

@@LivingPianosVideos You're very welcome! Looking forward to watching more of your material :)

[@clintgolub1751]

Wonderful visual explanation Robert, thanks so much for uploading this!

[@dinoflame9696]

GREAT video. Im not a musician, is counterpoint generally more fun and rewarding to play? So much music (both modern and classical) I think sounds so "scarce" in that many instruments remain passive and undeveloped. thats why I love Bach, every sound has its own life. Im not an elitist and listen to everything but never heard such perfect music.

[@dovahkiin2]

primarily its much harder to play XD

[@justinnoble6506]

You should mention Mozart’s 41st IV. A genius of counterpoint. He learned it because his patron Baron Von Swieten loaned him Bach and Handel scores, which were rare at the time. And if you’ve never heard K.593 finale, also a contrapuntal masterpiece.

[@heathstjohn6775]

Thanks. Very clear. Wish I could play. Best.

[@DamianReloaded]

Great example. I don't think I'll forget exactly what counterpoint means anymore. Intertwining melodies. Thanks! ^_^

[@laurens5837]

Love these videos. Thank you so much for sharing! These videos are really helpful in understanding music

[@Taeronai]

This was indeed a wonderful video. Thank you!

[@shadesofricoeur4207]

great explanation, easy to follow, concise

[@roisinwalsh8318]

I love Chopin's prelude in Em. Your videos are great :)

[@ihsahnakerfeldt9280]

Wonderfully explained

[@thereisnoself]

Very informative. Thanks Robert!

[@piano_depois_dos_50]

Great lesson! Thank you!

[@BongieThaYungN]

Nice work!

[@alirezamoghadamnia9712]

Thank u soooo much. Legendary level explaination

[@Manhsterz]

Very short and clear explanation ! Thank you sir

[@bikkies]

One of the main reasons I love counterpoint is the discipline it requires of me. For medical reasons my left hand can tend to play more heavily than the right, and can lose synchronisation with the right. This leads to imbalance of volume and rhythm. Playing a Bach invention can help me to pick out by ear when I am giving one voice more dominance than another, as well as highlighting when my hands fall out of step with one another. My own strictly amateur rules of playing Bach are these: 1) Slow down; 2) Practice practice practice; and 3) Leave that damper pedal alone. If I get these three right then the piece sounds ... "correct". If I try to race through a piece at breakneck speed then my fingers will end up in a horrid knot. Played more moderately and with diligent concentration can allow the subtle harmonies to be more readily revealed and enjoyed.

[@ondrasheq21]

Very important concept in visual arts as well :)

[@prairiewindtunnel5985]

That is perfect introduction! thank you!

[@am2472]

Absolutely amazing lesson. Was going to find an hour long video but you covered that in under 5 minutes. Thank you so much. Keep up with the good work you earned a subscriber and a like. :)

[@peaveawwii1]

thanks for explain this. I have often wondered about this.

[@michelperes2584]

Thank you for the explanation, sir!

[@ashleypackard-haas5227]

Omg this was incredibly helpful. . . the teacher's energy is just amazing.

[@LivingPianosVideos]

Glad it was helpful!

[@kasrakhavarinejad1476]

Thanks for the helpful content 👍

[@G138ccw]

Your Chopin song helped me in my Aural Test

[@selcano0575]

The two examples taken clearly show the difference between harmony and counterpoint. But that doesn't explain what counterpoint really brings to music. Mozart of course knew this difference from his childhood. But around 1783 he discovered Bach's fugues at Baron Van Swieten's and from then on his style of music changed completely. His music becomes very contrapuntal and this will be his great series of masterpieces. What did he see that impressed him so much? For Wagner it's the same. From Tristan his music becomes contrapuntal. And then many others, if not almost all, use counterpoint. What's so powerful about counterpoint? I never got the answer.

[@eman83184]

Thanks a lot, Robert! :) You really explained it well, and with great demonstrations. I'll come back to your page whenever I have a question about music theory.

[@robertbogomolec8763]

Thanks man, I'm learning this stuff from a book so I really needed to hear a good example of harmony and counterpoint. It's all clear now! ;)

[@rpmhomeschoolingparents1613]

Excellent! Thank you for such a great explanation (as someone else said, clear and simple). You made that fun to learn!

[@Thelearner1000]

awesome lesson!!