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XI. Counterpoint Terminology

Species (OTH)

Five species of OTH counterpoint, adapted from the Fuxian tradition:

SpeciesNotes/chordMotionsNon-chord tones
1st1single edgenone
2nd2single edgepassing, anticipation
3rd4single edgepassing, neighbor, anticipation, cambiata
4thmixedsingle edge + fibersuspension
5thfreeall motion typesall categories

Shadow Note

A non-chord tone that belongs to the step-size multiset of a sister orbit (an orbit sharing the same multiset). For example, a pitch from Q877’s set sounded over a Q777 chord. Shadow notes are not errors — they are deliberate coloristic devices.

Orbit Persistence

Three or more consecutive chord-graph edges within the same orbit. The OTH analogue of parallel fifths — a voice-fusion risk to be managed deliberately.