counterpoint

An example by Bach of double counterpoint. The second system reverses the position of each line.

In music, two or more lines that are arranged so that they fit well together. Even though the combination of the melodies is the main aim, they must make a satisfactory harmony. Another word for this is polyphony. Giovanni Palestrina and Johann Sebastian Bach were masters of counterpoint.

It originated in plainsong, with two independent vocal lines sung simultaneously (Latin punctus contra punctum ‘note against note’).