fifth species
noun
variants:
or fifth-species counterpoint
Definition of fifth species
: species counterpoint in which the added voice may employ all the resources of the first four species (see species entry 1 sense 1f)
… the fifth species integrates the possibilities of the preceding species.— David Damschroder and David Russell Williams, Music Theory from Zarlino to Schenker, 1990
— called also florid counterpoint
— see species counterpoint — compare first species, second species, third species, fourth speciesKeep scrolling for more