Software for Classical Music Theory / Composition / Harmony and Counterpoint [closed]

Question

Is there any software to help in learning / understanding / experimenting with the rules of harmony and counterpoint?

Answer 1

Bach-style 4 part harmony actually does follow some pretty rigid rules (no parallel 4ths, 5th or octaves, for example), and once you get your head around the rules it is a fairly trivial matter to harmonise a melody in four parts. That was the way I was taught at A-Level in the UK, and we weren't supposed to deviate from those rules - in fact, deviation was pretty much an instant mark-down.

However, as gnud said, the real good stuff comes from knowing which rules you can break where, and applying that knowledge intelligently. I guess that one could write some software that could take a melody and come up with something that follows the rules, as well as some pre-defined ways of breaking or bending the rules. I don't know of any, though. Sorry. :)