was first published by Girolamo Diruta in 1610. Counterpoint is still taught routinely using a method adapted from Fux, and based on the cantus firmus. Cantus firmi used to teach counterpoint adhere to certain rules of music theory, including beginning and ending on a tonic note, and only containing consonant intervals. As metaphor Several writers have used "cantus firmus" as a metaphor. Kate Gross used it for those childhood pursuits that give her happiness and define her - pursuits that she calls the "enduring melody" of her life. Dietrich Bonhoeffer also uses the metaphor for love for God in his "Letters and Papers from Prison". References Further reading M. Jennifer Bloxam: "Cantus firmus", Grove Music Online, ed. L. Macy (Accessed November 7, 2006), (subscription access) Sparks, E. H. Cantus firmus in Mass and Motet, Berkeley, (1963) Musical techniques Renaissance music Medieval music theory