Texture and AP Music Theory
The way melodic, rhythmic, and harmonic materials are combined in a composition, determining the quality of sound of a piece.
One definition of texture refers to a "structure of interwoven fibers." In music, texture refers to the way multiple voices (or instruments) interact in a composition. One may also think of texture as a description of musical hierarchy: which voice is most prominent? Are all the voices equal?
Texture is one of the basic elements of music. When you describe the texture of a piece of music, you are describing how much is going on in the music at any given moment. For example, the texture of the music might be thick or thin, or it may have many or few layers. It might be made up of rhythm only, or of a melody line with chordal accompaniment, or many interweaving melodies. Below you will find some of the formal terms musicians use to describe texture
One definition of texture refers to a "structure of interwoven fibers." In music, texture refers to the way multiple voices (or instruments) interact in a composition. One may also think of texture as a description of musical hierarchy: which voice is most prominent? Are all the voices equal?
Texture is one of the basic elements of music. When you describe the texture of a piece of music, you are describing how much is going on in the music at any given moment. For example, the texture of the music might be thick or thin, or it may have many or few layers. It might be made up of rhythm only, or of a melody line with chordal accompaniment, or many interweaving melodies. Below you will find some of the formal terms musicians use to describe texture
Monophony and AP Music Theory
Make sure you have looked through the basic information page found here!
Monophonic - one unison line
Monophonic - includes a single melodic line with NO accompaniment
Literally meaning "one sound," monophonic texture (noun: monophony) describes music consisting of a single melodic line. Whether it is sung/played by one person or many, as long as the same notes and rhythms are being performed, monophonic texture results.
Where might you encounter monophonic texture?
Unison singing at a religious service
"Happy Birthday" at a birthday party
A lone bugle playing "Taps"
The singing of "The Star-Spangled Banner" at a baseball game
A composition for solo flute
For AP Music Theory you additionally need to know BIphonic or biphony
Biphonic – two distinct lines, the lower sustaining a drone while the other line outlines a melody
Essentially melody with a drone.
EXAMPLES
A Bach unaccompanied cello suite
Gregorian chant
Long sections of "The People that Walked in Darkness" aria in Handel's "Messiah" are monophonic (the instruments are playing the same line as the voice). Apparently Handel associates monophony with "walking in darkness"!
Monophonic - one unison line
Monophonic - includes a single melodic line with NO accompaniment
Literally meaning "one sound," monophonic texture (noun: monophony) describes music consisting of a single melodic line. Whether it is sung/played by one person or many, as long as the same notes and rhythms are being performed, monophonic texture results.
Where might you encounter monophonic texture?
Unison singing at a religious service
"Happy Birthday" at a birthday party
A lone bugle playing "Taps"
The singing of "The Star-Spangled Banner" at a baseball game
A composition for solo flute
For AP Music Theory you additionally need to know BIphonic or biphony
Biphonic – two distinct lines, the lower sustaining a drone while the other line outlines a melody
Essentially melody with a drone.
EXAMPLES
A Bach unaccompanied cello suite
Gregorian chant
Long sections of "The People that Walked in Darkness" aria in Handel's "Messiah" are monophonic (the instruments are playing the same line as the voice). Apparently Handel associates monophony with "walking in darkness"!