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Ko te kakano puoro te āhua o te kōtuitui i ngā reo o roto i tētahi puoro, ahakoa reo tangata, reo taonga puoro rānei, pēnā he apiapi te kakano, he māmā rānei (RTP 2015:59). / Musical texture is the way the sounds are combined, whether they be human voices or the sounds of instruments. The texture could be dense or sparse (RTP 2015:59). Te Aka/Māori Dictionary
Key words:
Key words:
Monophonic - one part
Monophonic - one part
Homophonic - in harmony
Homophonic - in harmony
Polyphonic - more than one melody
Polyphonic - more than one melody
Melody with accomaniment - common in pop music
Call and Response
Call and Response
Layers - how many 'layers' can you hear?
Layers - how many 'layers' can you hear?
How thick or thin is the music?
How thick or thin is the music?
<- Watch this video for an explanation of these key words
<- Watch this video for an explanation of these key words
- What is the predominant texture?
Monophonic? Homophonic? Polyphonic?
Monophonic? Homophonic? Polyphonic?
2. Does the texture change? How and Where
2. Does the texture change? How and Where
Describe the changes in detail. Use bar numbers or track time references.
Describe the changes in detail. Use bar numbers or track time references.
3. Describe the role of each instrument?
3. Describe the role of each instrument?
Eg. The guitar is playing the melody and the piano and bass guitar are providing the harmony. This section is homophonic.
Eg. The guitar is playing the melody and the piano and bass guitar are providing the harmony. This section is homophonic.
4. Is there any layering of instruments?
4. Is there any layering of instruments?
Eg. Does the bass start, then 2 bars later the guitar enters, followed by the piano etc
Eg. Does the bass start, then 2 bars later the guitar enters, followed by the piano etc
Describe the layers and how thick or thin the music is.
Describe the layers and how thick or thin the music is.
5. Have any timbre's change - does this effect the texture?
5. Have any timbre's change - does this effect the texture?
Examples:
Examples:
Guitar – from picking to strumming or just changing the strumming can create a thicker texture
Guitar – from picking to strumming or just changing the strumming can create a thicker texture
Bass – Long notes vs moving notes or shorter notes.
Bass – Long notes vs moving notes or shorter notes.
Drums – Different parts of the kit can create a thicker texture - a ride cymbal quaver pattern would be thicker than a closed hi-hat.
Drums – Different parts of the kit can create a thicker texture - a ride cymbal quaver pattern would be thicker than a closed hi-hat.
Keys – Block chords vs broken chords
Keys – Block chords vs broken chords
6. What is the effect of the texture changes?
6. What is the effect of the texture changes?
Can you link the texture to:
Can you link the texture to:
- the expression of the music - polyphonic could give the effect of excitement
- the section of the song - the beginning could be a thin texture, while the final chorus could be very thick - helping to build tension.
- the meaning of the lyrics - the lyric 'lonely' could be sung in monophonic texture, supporting the meaning of the word. Or the lead and backing vocals sing together could give a feeling of unity.
Some other things to discuss:
Some other things to discuss:
How do the other instruments or voices support the melody? Are they all playing at once? or layer in? Do they play patterns that repeat?
Do groups of instruments play the same thing, or are they all different?
Do any instruments syncronise (play the same thing) for a moment?
Does the accompaniment ever draw attention to itself and away from the melody? How complicated is the accompaniment? Does the accompaniment sound “happy,” “sad,” etc? Why?
Are there moments where there is no sound (silence)?
Texture.pdfAn example response:
An example response:
The overall texture is thick, with many instruments playing. The main vocal line is monophonic in the verse, and when the back up singers enter in the chorus, the texture of the melody becomes homophonic. In the instrumental break, the lead guitar plays a solo which begins monophonic. When the keyboard plays in the instrumental break, the texture becomes polyphonic. This is because the guitar is playing a melody and so is the keyboard. The polyphonic texture helps to create excitement and build tense in the music.
The overall texture is thick, with many instruments playing. The main vocal line is monophonic in the verse, and when the back up singers enter in the chorus, the texture of the melody becomes homophonic. In the instrumental break, the lead guitar plays a solo which begins monophonic. When the keyboard plays in the instrumental break, the texture becomes polyphonic. This is because the guitar is playing a melody and so is the keyboard. The polyphonic texture helps to create excitement and build tense in the music.
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