TEXTURES

TEXTURE IN MUSIC

INTRODUCTION TO MUSICAL TEXTURE

This video introduces the most important terminology used to describe musical texture; 

monophony, homophony, polyphony and heterophony.

MONOPHONIC TEXTURE

All instruments play a single melodic line - in unison or octaves

HOMOPHONIC TEXTURE

One melodic line is supported by a harmony

POLYPHONIC TEXTURE

Two or more melodic lines compete for attention

HETEROPHONIC TEXTURE

Two or more instruments play parts that are almost identical, but slightly different from each other. Normally one part will be heavily ornamented.

IDENTIFY THE TEXTURE(S) IN THESE EXTRACTS

Extract 1

Extract 2

Extract 3

extract 4

extract 5

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Texture can also be described as THICK or THIN, which describe the richness, density or volume of each melodic line. A single person singing the national anthem (with no accompaniment) might be described as a THIN MONOPHONIC texture, whereas an entire football stadium singing along would have a THICK MONOPHONIC texture. Textures in scores can be seen as thick when multiple instruments are playing the same melodic line, either in unison or octaves.