second species

noun

: species counterpoint in which the added voice consists of two notes for each note of the cantus firmus

In second species the added voice instead consists of two notes for every note of the cantus firmus …

—Tom Pankhurst, SchenkerGUIDE, 2008

see species counterpoint compare first species, third species, fourth species, fifth species, unequal counterpoint

Word History

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined above

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