![]() This texture is used very little in music of the Western European tradition after the Middle Ages. Monophonic music can also be called monophony. There may be rhythmic accompaniment, but only one line that has specific pitches. Monophonic music has only one melodic line, with no harmony or counterpoint. Here are definitions and examples of the three main textures you will encounter in our class. ![]() There are many informal terms that can describe the texture of a piece of music (thick, thin, bass-heavy, rhythmically complex, and so on), but the formal terms that are used to describe texture all describe the relationships of melodies and, if present, harmonies. ![]() Below you will find some of the formal terms musicians use to describe texture. It might be made up of rhythm only, or of a melody line with chordal accompaniment, or many interweaving melodies. For example, the texture of the music might be thick or thin, or it may have many or few layers. When you describe the texture of a piece of music, you are describing the relationship of melodic and (sometimes) harmonic elements with each other. Texture is one of the basic elements of music. At the end of the reading assignment you’ll find links to three pieces you can listen to see if you can identify the textures of the pieces based on your reading. ![]() Texture is an element you will use when identifying pieces from all the periods of music history so you’ll want to study this material very carefully. This document covers the three musical textures we will encounter in our studies: monophony, polyphony, and homophony. ![]()
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