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Practical Counterpoint Music Theory (Udemy.com)

Compose polyphonic music in a Baroque or early Classical-style style

4.9
252 reviews

Created by: Victoria Williams LmusTCL BA(Mus)

Last updated January 2026

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What you will learn

  • You will be able to write polyphonic music in up to four voices.
  • You will be able to tackle forms such as the fugue with more confidence.
  • You will have a good understanding of the principles behind contrapuntal music of the Baroque/early classical style.
  • You will know how to construct invertible counterpoint.

How it compares

Against the other 270 rated Udemy courses in Music on CourseDuck:

  • Rating4.9 out of 5higher than 96% of them
  • Reviews252#116 of 271 by number of reviews
  • Length2.4 hoursshorter than 65% of them
  • Last updatedJanuary 2026more recently than 73% of them

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Course Description

This is a practical course, in which you’ll learn how to write Baroque and early Classical-style counterpoint from a modern approach. 

*** This course is not about "Species Counterpoint", which is a very theoretical approach and is based on an earlier, Renaissance style. This course looks very briefly at how species counterpoint works, but focuses mainly on writing in the later, more creative Baroque and early classical style.***

You’ll first understand the elements that go into creating an effective solo melody line, and then add a second part while looking at how the parts combine with each other in terms of melody, rhythm and harmony. 

You’ll also learn about three- and four-part counterpoint, invertible counterpoint, and some of the typical composition forms like the fugue and the trio sonata.

You’ll find this course in-depth and both accessible and practical, and by the end you’ll feel confident composing your own contrapuntal music in a Baroque style.

Counterpoint, or the art of weaving together multiple melodies, began in the Renaissance era but flourished in the Baroque, when Johann Sebastian Bach was at his height. 

From that time on, counterpoint has been a composition technique used throughout all the eras and it's still a hugely important skill today.

The course includes a downloadable PDF with lesson notes, musical examples and practical exercises for you to work through yourself.
Read More Expert Expert Level product length iconTime: 2.4h

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Instructor Details

Victoria Williams LmusTCL BA(Mus)

"This course was absolutely first rate in every way. Ms. Williams presented the material clearly, thoughtfully, and with an obvious love of teaching. The only way this could possibly have been any better is to have had the privilege of studying with her in person. I'm amazed by how much information I learned -- and in such an enjoyable way! Ms. Williams is someone who not only has a deep understanding of music theory, but a rare and wonderful creativity that makes her such an effective teacher of it. Bravo and thank you!"


Victoria graduated from the University of Leeds in 1995 with a BA Honours in Music, specialising in Musicology. She also holds the AmusTCL  and LmusTCL diplomas in Music Theory, from Trinity College London.

Since 2007, Victoria has been teaching music theory online and by email via her acclaimed website MyMusicTheory, offering free music theory tuition following the structured syllabus of the ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music).

Victoria teaches all ABRSM levels, from grade 1 (beginner) up to grade 8/diploma (undergraduate level) and has an in depth knowledge of both the syllabus requirements and examiners' marking schemes. As well as teaching the ABRSM syllabus, Victoria is equally at home preparing students for the Trinity Guildhall exams, the Australian AMEB exams and the AP Music Theory exams taken in the USA.

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Reviews

4.9

252 ratings on Udemy

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By Harrie on 8/1/2025

Supercursus. Goede uitleg, veel stof wordt behandeld. Een grote rijkdom. Goed voor elke muziekstudent, amateur maar ook voor profs. De docent kent haar vak en legt heel goed uit. Bravo!

By Juan Medrano on 4/1/2023

Very through Course so far on how to apply counterpoint in a real musical context and how to take these techniques and apply to whatever music you're writing.

By The Man With No Name . on 6/3/2022

this is a top notch course about free counterpoint. I have never seen such a course online, anywhere. Well done. It also comes with a top notch guidebook, and it's all really well taught.

By Richard André Desjardins on 12/9/2020

L'enseignante connaît très bien sa matière. Le document PDF est excellent, le meilleur que j'ai eu dans mes cours chez Udemy. La gradation de la difficulté se fait doucement. L'enseignement total est presque exactement ce qui m'était nécessaire. Toutes mes félicitations, je recommanderai ce cours assurément. Merci !

By Robert Foulkes on 7/16/2020

A great teacher, able to make the complex understandable by delivering in easily digestible chunks. Her style is direct and clear, showing she has prepared well for the lectures. Altogether very good indeed.

By Kenneth Davies on 5/16/2020

Yes, it's exactly what I'm looking for, mostly revision, consolidating things I learned, or tried to learn, a long time ago, and occasionally bringing my attention to something I wasn't fully aware of.

By Vsevolod Ivanov on 6/16/2019

This is really good course, for beginners though. No advanced things here (or at least in detail) but quite good overview to understand what it is and how it works. Hardly recommend. Author is also quite professional and really careful about terminology and seeds it straight into your mind

By Albary Laibida Junior on 8/2/2018

As an amateur musician, I have been struggling for a long time in order to find good resources on this particular subject. Most of what a have read so far regarding this topic made me confuse since no clear distinction had been made between baroque and renaissance counterpoint. It is clear now that my previous studies were nothing but some weird mixture of both types of counterpoint styles. That being said, I would like to express my gratitude to the course staff for this wonderful work.

By Alain ALEXIS on 5/2/2018

Très bon cours. Bien plus pratique que le contrepoint d’école (d’espèces), et utilisable. La liaison avec l’harmonie (accords induits) est bien présentée et très utile. Les « règles » sont clairement énoncées, avec leur raison d’être (ce qui n’est pas toujours le cas ailleurs). Le règles sont réduites au minimum essentiel. Bravo.

By Kevin Mirecki on 3/13/2018

Instructor is very knowledgeable, precise and focused in her instruction. She provides her course in a clear and understandable fashion. 11 out of 10!

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Overall Score : 98 / 100

Practical Counterpoint Music Theory
Visit course on Udemy Write a review
  • Video Duration: icon 2.4h
  • Price: $14.99
  • Provider: icon Udemy
  • Updated: icon January 2026
  • Level: Expert Expert
  • Language: icon English
  • Certificate: icon Yes
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