Texture
Introduction
Texture describes how many musical layers are played at the same time and how thick or thin the music sounds.
Layers in a musical texture
Texture can be thin or thick (dense or sparse) or anywhere in between.
If a piece has only one layer of sound, it creates a thin texture.
As instruments are added to the texture it becomes more dense or thick.
Look at the image
It is an example of a melody with parallel harmony, chords, a bass line and a rhythmic part.
Together they create 5 layers within the musical texture.
One way to create interest and variety in a piece of music is to vary the textures used throughout.
Suggested activities
Teaching notes
Formative assessment
Engagement with the concept of texture can be observed and assessed through activities that encourage students to take part in a multi-layered sound exploration.
Understanding of the concept of texture can be assessed through activities that allow students to demonstrate an understanding of texture terminology using visual representations or written explanations of etymology (in groups).
Syllabus outcomes
The student:
demonstrates an understanding of musical concepts through exploring, experimenting, improvising, organising, arranging and composing (4.4)
demonstrates an understanding of the musical concepts through listening, observing, responding, discriminating, analysing, discussing and recording musical ideas (4.7)
Music 7-10 Syllabus © NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2003, accessed 04/04/22.