Variations in Texture and Primary Chords

• Variations in Texture

  • Monophonic
  • Homophonic
  • Polyphonic
• Texture


  The way rhythm, melody, and harmony are combined in a composition to see the overall quality of the sound
• Monophonic


  • One voice is the simplest type of musical texture
  • A cappella
  • Ex. Any song sung in unison or in a cappella
  • Composition for solo flute or any other solo instrument
• Homophonic


  • When the main melody is accompanied by chords or by human voice or by an instrument like a guitar or piano
• Polyphonic


  • Many sound
  • Describes a musical texture in which two or more independent melodies of equal importance are performed simultaneously
• Primary Chords

  • Chord
  • Triad
• Chord

  The basic foundation of harmony that supports the melody
• Triad

  A chord made up of three tones: the root, a third, and a fifth