In music, counterpoint is the relationship between voices that are interdependent harmonically (polyphony) yet independent in rhythm and contour.
.. Counterpoint, in simple terms, is a technique for creating “good” harmony with independent voices (independent on contour & rhythm). Another way of looking at it is: Counterpoint is a technique for playing various independent voices without messing up the harmony.
.. All it means is that is that both voices add up to some kind of harmony (think of chords although they don’t have to be), while the the musical lines themselves don’t sound or feel alike. These voices can also typically each be perceived as a different melody.
There is a much simpler way to say what counterpoint is which is “The study of how to make two voices independent within the context of harmony.”
.. If you want good examples of how counterpoint can be used listen to some fugues and inventions.
Youtube example: Fugue