Texture

• Monophonic texture is a single melodic line
• Homophonic texture is harmonised. it can be either chordal or melody and accompaniment
• Chordal texture is when the parts move together creating a succession of chords
• Melody and accompaniment is when a distinct melody stands out from background accompaniment
• Polyphonic texture or contrapuntal texture is when two or more melodies interweave
• When more than one performer plays the same single line of music it is called unison and it can be in octaves
• Canon is when one part copies another but not necessarily in the same pitch
• A round is when at least three voices sing the melody starting at different times
• Imitation is when a melody is copied in other parts often at a different pitch or with a slight change
• A counter melody is a new melody combined with the theme
• Layering is when several different musical ideas are superimposed on top of one another
• Antiphonal is when two instrument or vocal groups alternate with each other in a musical conversation a bit like call and response
• A descant is a higher melody added to the main tune, often used in hymns and Christmas carols
• Tutti is when the whole orchestra plays together
• Thick texture has many different parts and can be described as dense or heavy, whereas thin texture has few parts and can be described as light
• Stab chords are short staccato chords that add impact and ‘punch’ to the music