Fee: $25 and up, paid once

If you are looking for professional feedback for a contrapuntal work you have written, but you don't want to sign up for periodic lessons, I'm happy to help. Turnaround is normally a day or two (not including weekends). I will mark anything needing attention, point by point, with clear and precisely explained reasoning and instructions for improving your work. The basic fee covers the vast majority of shorter works. For large works, the fee is increased to match the time needed to review the score. We proceed as follows:

1. You send me your score (via email).
2. We agree on the fee.
3. Payment is sent (Paypal or Zelle).
4. I review and annotate your score.
5. You receive the result.

Note: The above fee pertains to correspondence lessons. In-person lessons are normally $50 per hour.

Begin

Fee: $35 and up, paid monthly

The best way to improve your skills is to receive ongoing feedback and guidance. If you are looking for clear direction to improve your counterpoint, I'm happy to help on a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly basis. Lessons are structured to your needs, with fees determined by your situation (age, income, previous experience) and the frequency of your instruction.

Note: The above fee pertains to correspondence lessons. In-person lessons are normally $50 per hour.

Begin

To study with me, ideally you should have at least two years of University-level music theory and ear training completed, but if you lack the necessary background, we can also work on your music theory skills. Things you should know include:

• Major and Minor Keys and Scales
• Meter and Rhythm
• Melodic Contour and Leading Tones
• Circle of Fifths
• Triads and Seventh Chords in all Inversions
• Harmonic Progression with Secondary Functions
• Roman Numerals and Chord Symbols
• Suspensions and Other "Non-Harmonic" Tones
• Figured Bass
• 4-part SATB writing
• Phrasing, Cadences and Form
• Basic Keyboard Skills

Almost any book on counterpoint can help you learn, and I've used several different textbooks in my classroom teaching, though I make most of my teaching materials myself. There is no substitute for the primary source materials: the works of Johann Sebastian Bach. You should have copies of at least the following scores:

• 389 Chorales
• The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I
• The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book II
• The Art of Fugue

University instruction in counterpoint is normally divided into two courses: 16th Century style (a.k.a. species, based on Palestrina), and 18th Century style (based on Bach), but the former is not a prerequisite for studying the latter, and I do not use the species approach in my teaching.

At the outset of instruction, after first payment has been received, you will also receive a link to download a textbook I have written called »The Procedures of Contrapuntal Composition« This book is a work in progess, written specifically for my students, to address important information which I have found lacking in counterpoint textbooks.

In my experience, students who excell at their work also tend to praise their instructor. I include samples here of positive (anonymous) feedback I have received from many students I have been privileged to teach over the years.

→ Anonymous feedback from private students studying Counterpoint:

"Aaron is a really outstanding teacher, both in terms of teaching of the material itself and constant encouragement and patience. I have learned a huge amount over the last year and a half — despite playing and hearing this sort of music my whole life, I was unaware of how much I still didn't know about how it really works, not to mention the craft involved in actually creating it. I am a way better musician than I was when I started, and not just at writing Baroque counterpoint. "

"Aaron is equal parts exacting and encouraging, with an encyclopedic knowledge of the works of Bach and his peers. It would be hard to receive more comprehensive and hands-on instruction in Baroque counterpoint without traveling back in time 300 years."

"Aaron Andrew Hunt prepared me for taking the counterpoint exam for the American Guild of Organists Associate Degree. He was thorough and professional in his teaching. I would recommend Aaron to anyone who is studying Counterpoint."

"He helps you learn from extensive, practiced knowledge of Bach's music. Correspondence-style lessons have been great for their flexibility, allowing me to work entirely at my own pace. I always look forward to his feedback because it isn't just about pointing out mistakes, but about how to make a good passage even better. I would recommend his mentorship to anyone serious about making quality music, or anyone curious to understand the music they love more deeply."

→ Anonymous feedback from former students of Music Theory, Analysis, and Counterpoint in the classroom (written evaluations submitted to the University Music Department Chair):

"In my entire scholastic career, no teacher has ever taught me more in a classroom setting than Mr. Hunt"

"Always presents material clearly, efficiently, and in multiple ways. He taught me a lot."

"Mr. Hunt is an amazing theory professor. He teaches effectively and communicates well."

"He is very organised and personable, extremely prepared and knowledgable. I learn a lot in class."

"He encourages me to do my best work in and out of class. Very smart and I feel I get more knowledge from him than from other professors. He makes you think for yourself, but is also always available for help."

"I have learned a lot from Mr. Hunt. He explains things well so I can understand them."

"Mr. Hunt is a fantastic teacher."

→ Anonymous feedback from students taking private lessons in Composition:

"Mr. Hunt is a great composition teacher. I had so many ideas and sounds in my head and he was able to help me pull them out and get them written down. Especially as a 'new' composer, I couldn't be more pleased with my progress. He made me see every possibility in a bar of music."

"He is willing to learn as well as teach."

"I have learned a lot in my lessons. Mr. Hunt is a great teacher."

"Aaron Hunt is a musical genius and a pleasure and honor to have as a teacher."