Question 1

What is a cantus firmus generator and how do I use it?

Accepted Answer

A cantus firmus generator produces a short modal melody to use as the fixed voice in species counterpoint. Choose a mode and press New Cantus Firmus; the tool generates a seven-to-thirteen-note melody that begins and ends on the modal final, keeps a single high point, avoids the melodic tritone and moves mostly by step. Play it back to hear the modal motion, then add a blank voice above or below and write your counterpoint directly on the staff, or print an empty A4 worksheet to solve by hand. You can also generate an A4 sheet with the same cantus firmus transposed to several finales.

Question 2

Which modes does it generate, and why is Locrian excluded?

Accepted Answer

Six modes: Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian and Aeolian. Locrian is intentionally excluded because the diminished fifth between its final and fifth degree makes a stable cantus firmus essentially impossible — the central pillar of the mode is dissonant — which is why Fux and the historical species tradition treat Locrian as theoretical rather than practical. Note names display in international (B / B♭) or German/Nordic (H / B) convention as an independent toggle.

Question 3

Can I add voices and print a species counterpoint worksheet?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Add one or more blank voices above or below the cantus firmus in any clef — treble, treble 8vb, alto, tenor or bass — and either write your counterpoint solution directly in the interface or print a clean A4 worksheet with the cantus firmus and empty staves for hand-written work. The generator produces well-formed assignment material; it does not grade or explain the answer. That is for the teacher.

Cantus Firmus Generator