The different kinds of Canon are—
1. The terminating (or finite) canon, when the melody closes with a perfect cadence.
2. The endless canon, (or infinite) which always begins over again, and in which the parts leave off arbitrarily, at a half or a whole cæsure.
3. The Canon by augmentation.
4. The Canon by diminution.
5. The Close Canon, when the coming in of the parts is only marked by signs, and the whole movement is written on in one staff, without rests.
6. The Open Canon, in which the parts are written one above the other, with the necessary rests before the appearance of each, therefore in the manner of a score.
7. The Retrogade Canon, or Canon Cancrizans.
8. The Double Canon, in four parts; the thrice-double, in six; and the four-times double, in eight.
9. The Canon Climax, (Polymorphus) the Circular Canon, the construction of which is explained by the name.