Texture

Texture

Texture (Harmony)

• Monophony / Monophonic

• Homophony / Homophonic

• Polyphony / Polyphonic

• Heterophony / Heterophonic

Monophonic

• One single line of melody.

• May be solo or unison

Polyphonic

• More than one melody being played at once.

• Sounds more complex.

• May be called counterpoint / contrapuntal.

Homophonic

• If the lines of music move at (more or less) the same time.

• Melody and chords can be homophonic if the rhythm of the accompaniment is the same as the melody.

Homophonic

Heterophonic

• There is one melody.

• All instruments play it with variations.

• It is rare in Western music.

Harmonic Shapes

Other textures

• Solo – Unison –

• Duet – Tutti –

• Trio – Doubling –

• Quartet - Descant –

What if it doesn’t fit?

• Solo voice with accompaniment?

• Solo guitar?

• Unison strings?

Homework

• Log in to Yaca Paca• Complete the ‘Texture’ exercise (by next

Tuesday – no excuses!)