Two or three melodic lines played at the same time.

The technique of combining melodic lines to create a polyphonic texture.

Two parts with individual distinctive melodic significance and rhythmic independence running together (singing in unison or octaves is not counterpoint). Thus, the texture of music which is made up of individual melodic strands woven together is contrapuntal (or polyphonic). The opposite is homophonic texture where one melodic idea is supported by accompanying harmony. Counterpoint in which two (or more) strands can function equally well as bass or treble to each other is invertible counterpoint. If applied to two parts, it is called double counterpoint.