--- product_id: 65810221 title: "The Study of Counterpoint: From Johann Joseph Fux's Gradus ad Parnassum" price: "¥7532" currency: JPY in_stock: true reviews_count: 13 url: https://www.desertcart.jp/products/65810221-the-study-of-counterpoint-from-johann-joseph-fuxs-gradus-ad store_origin: JP region: Japan --- # Stepwise species counterpoint method Original 1725 classic text Tutor-student dialogue format The Study of Counterpoint: From Johann Joseph Fux's Gradus ad Parnassum **Price:** ¥7532 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Summary > 🎶 Unlock the secrets of musical genius—compose like the greats, today! ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** The Study of Counterpoint: From Johann Joseph Fux's Gradus ad Parnassum - **How much does it cost?** ¥7532 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.jp](https://www.desertcart.jp/products/65810221-the-study-of-counterpoint-from-johann-joseph-fuxs-gradus-ad) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Key Features - • **Structured Learning Journey:** Progress confidently through five species and three voice sections with clear, methodical lessons. - • **Authentic English Translation:** First faithful English version from original Latin by Alfred Mann, preserving historical accuracy. - • **Proven Pedagogical Excellence:** Endorsed by centuries of composers and modern scholars alike—your essential guide to classical composition. - • **Timeless Composition Blueprint:** Master the same counterpoint techniques that shaped Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven. - • **Interactive Tutor-Student Dialogue:** Engage with a unique conversational teaching style that answers your every question. ## Overview The Study of Counterpoint is the definitive guide to classical counterpoint, originally penned by Johann Joseph Fux in 1725 and revered by legendary composers such as Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven. This edition features Alfred Mann’s first faithful English translation from Latin, offering a structured, species-based approach through an engaging tutor-student dialogue. Ideal for serious music students and composers aiming to master baroque and early classical composition techniques. ## Description The most celebrated book on counterpoint is Fux's great theoretical work Gradus ad Parnassum. Since its appearance in 1725, it has been used by and has directly influenced the work of many of the greatest composers. J.S. Bach held it in high esteem, Leopold Mozart trained his famous son from its pages, Haydn worked out every lesson with meticulous care, and Beethoven condensed it into an abstract for ready reference. An impressive list of nineteenth-century composers subscribed to its second edition, and in more recent times Paul Hindemith said, "Perhaps the craft of composition would really have fallen into decline if Fux's Gradus had not set up a standard." Originally written in Latin, Steps to Parnassus was translated into the principal European languages, but the only English version was a free paraphrase published in 1886. The present translation by Alfred Mann is therefore the first faithful rendering in English from the original Latin and presents the essence of Fux's teachings. For its distinction as a classic and its undiminished usefulness for the modern student it is a privilege to offer this fine translation in the Norton Library. Review: The original and still the best! - Superbly well written if you can get over the 1725 narrative style. "What is that style, might I inquire venerable master?" "Well, my son, there are many things I have yet to explain to you, but they will all be covered in due course." Did they really talk like that? But ignoring that stylistic aspect, the actual content and substance is superb. For the unfamiliar, counterpoint is a formal musical structure which requires very strict adherence to clearly defined rules. Johann Joseph Fux was a master court composer who had the honour and privilege during his lifetime of serving in that capacity to five different Emperors. Originally written in Latin, towards the end of his life, copies of this publication were fervently sought and prized throughout the musical world. Mozart, Haydn and Beethoven all had copies and learnt from its pages, as did many others. Finally, in the mid-twentieth century Alfred Mann, a respected academic in the US, translated the text into English so it could be re-published. The book follows a clear structure, enabling students to progress methodically and with assurance. At every step it provides worked example exercises, which can be copied out and their principles re-applied. To aid the flow of narrative, we are provided with an imaginary discussion between a tutor and his student, where the rules of counterpoint are identified and explored. There are three sections in the narrative: (I) for two voices; (II) for three voices; and (III) for four voices. Each of those sections is divided into five distinct species: (1) note against note; (2) half note against whole notes; (3) quarters against whole notes; (4) the ligature; and (5) florid counterpoint. Along the way several important concepts are raised and systematically explained. This book will be hugely helpful for anybody wishing to study and develop their skills in writing counterpoint - a key aspect of baroque and early classical music. Recommended. Review: Best book for learning the art of counterpoint!! Ever! This belongs to your bookshelf! - There are many books on this matter, but I find some of them sometimes confusing or not explicit, having lots of big texts saying basically nothing. Not this one though! This book is written based on a teacher/student dialogue system which allows you to really understand what is being explained, step by step, and having all of your silly student questions answered! There is no filler text, everything is really important information, which makes this my go-to counterpoint bible. You end up being able to write efficiently a string quartet following all the baroque counterpoint rules. Of course, you can break the rules in your own compositions, but there's no point in "breaking the rules" if you're not even aware of which rules you're breaking, that's just ignorance at that point, so study counterpoint with this book and evolve your music to the next level! ## Features - New Store Stock ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Best Sellers Rank | 27,309 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) 7 in Composition & Orchestration 51 in Musical Theory | | Customer Reviews | 4.6 out of 5 stars 488 Reviews | ## Images ![The Study of Counterpoint: From Johann Joseph Fux's Gradus ad Parnassum - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61JQESfboxL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The original and still the best! *by R***M on 20 April 2013* Superbly well written if you can get over the 1725 narrative style. "What is that style, might I inquire venerable master?" "Well, my son, there are many things I have yet to explain to you, but they will all be covered in due course." Did they really talk like that? But ignoring that stylistic aspect, the actual content and substance is superb. For the unfamiliar, counterpoint is a formal musical structure which requires very strict adherence to clearly defined rules. Johann Joseph Fux was a master court composer who had the honour and privilege during his lifetime of serving in that capacity to five different Emperors. Originally written in Latin, towards the end of his life, copies of this publication were fervently sought and prized throughout the musical world. Mozart, Haydn and Beethoven all had copies and learnt from its pages, as did many others. Finally, in the mid-twentieth century Alfred Mann, a respected academic in the US, translated the text into English so it could be re-published. The book follows a clear structure, enabling students to progress methodically and with assurance. At every step it provides worked example exercises, which can be copied out and their principles re-applied. To aid the flow of narrative, we are provided with an imaginary discussion between a tutor and his student, where the rules of counterpoint are identified and explored. There are three sections in the narrative: (I) for two voices; (II) for three voices; and (III) for four voices. Each of those sections is divided into five distinct species: (1) note against note; (2) half note against whole notes; (3) quarters against whole notes; (4) the ligature; and (5) florid counterpoint. Along the way several important concepts are raised and systematically explained. This book will be hugely helpful for anybody wishing to study and develop their skills in writing counterpoint - a key aspect of baroque and early classical music. Recommended. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Best book for learning the art of counterpoint!! Ever! This belongs to your bookshelf! *by J***O on 28 August 2018* There are many books on this matter, but I find some of them sometimes confusing or not explicit, having lots of big texts saying basically nothing. Not this one though! This book is written based on a teacher/student dialogue system which allows you to really understand what is being explained, step by step, and having all of your silly student questions answered! There is no filler text, everything is really important information, which makes this my go-to counterpoint bible. You end up being able to write efficiently a string quartet following all the baroque counterpoint rules. Of course, you can break the rules in your own compositions, but there's no point in "breaking the rules" if you're not even aware of which rules you're breaking, that's just ignorance at that point, so study counterpoint with this book and evolve your music to the next level! ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The best *by A***P on 9 April 2013* As an introduction to Composing I found this book to be my go-to guide, and I've been keeping at it for well over a year and a half now. I'm on 4 Part counterpoint finally and one thing I would say is to do extra research on each rule stated. Many of the Rules have since changed and can be challenged. For example Battuta's, considering 4ths as Dissonant, and only being able to use crotchets on the 2nd and 4th beats. The book is intended as a fundamental introduction and should be considered that way. once following the rules strictly it is up to you to decide which rules you are going to stick by and which ones you are going to break. ## Frequently Bought Together - Study of Counterpoint: From Johann Joseph Fux's Gradus ad Parnassum - Fundamentals Of Musical Composition --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.jp/products/65810221-the-study-of-counterpoint-from-johann-joseph-fuxs-gradus-ad](https://www.desertcart.jp/products/65810221-the-study-of-counterpoint-from-johann-joseph-fuxs-gradus-ad) --- *Product available on Desertcart Japan* *Store origin: JP* *Last updated: 2026-10-26*