I belatedly saw the thread asking about books on counterpoint,
and I can't resist entering a late comment.
I think the best book on counterpoint is the original,
"Study of Counterpoint", by Johann Joseph Fux. It's short,
direct, and just gives the facts. You've got to get used
to the odd clef that it uses for examples, but otherwise
it has all the info you need, without the padding you'll
find in the Piston etc books.
Christopher BJ Smith gave his three rules, which sound good
to me. But, I've got my own three. The counterpoint line
should:
1) Be a melodious line by itself.
2) Fit nicely with the principal line.
3) Be distinguishable from the principal line. I.e.
you should be able to listen to the principal line
with your right ear, and the counterpoint line with
your left, with neither becoming confused.
I think you'll find that you already know all the rules
of counterpoint, simply by osmosis from listening to
counterpoint lines.
Phil Shaw - [EMAIL PROTECTED] - http://okshaw.com
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