third species

noun

variants: or third-species counterpoint

Definition of third species

: species counterpoint in which the added voice consists of four notes for each note of the cantus firmus … there is therefore no reason for treating triple time before the following exercises in third species.— Knud Jeppesen, Counterpoint, 1930 — see species counterpoint — compare first species, second species, fourth species, fifth species, unequal counterpoint

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third time lucky

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The first known use of third species was in 1834

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