Polyphony in GCSE
Make sure you have read and understand the basic information for Polyphony before reading this page!
This page will go through specific GCSE set works and show how Polyphony is used within these pieces.
This page will go through specific GCSE set works and show how Polyphony is used within these pieces.
Set works which feature polyphonic texture
In some of these instances the pieces feature multiple melodic lines, which is what makes the texture polyphonic.
- Handel - Alternates between homophonic and polyphonic
- Mozart- Sections of the development only
- Peripetie
- Reich
- Capercaillie- Instrumental sections particularly
- Rag desh- see notes below
- Koko- Apart from opening
In some of these instances the pieces feature multiple melodic lines, which is what makes the texture polyphonic.
Listen to the set works listed above and complete the following tasks in your revision notes.
- Write the bar numbers of sections which are polyphonic
- List which instruments are playing at this particular time
- List which parts have individual melodic lines
- List the reasons, i.e. lyrics or otherwise, for the change to homophony at this particular point
Rag Desh
Technically speaking rag desh could be considered an example of polyphony or homophony, however Indian music is not described in this way. Indian Rag uses 3 layers in all pieces (and occasionally more) these consist of a drone (harmony), the rag (melody) and tal (rhythm), therefore there are times in these pieces which could be described as homophonic (when the tal is not present) and other times that can be described as polyphony (when the tal performs as a melodic line against the rag melody.
Technically speaking rag desh could be considered an example of polyphony or homophony, however Indian music is not described in this way. Indian Rag uses 3 layers in all pieces (and occasionally more) these consist of a drone (harmony), the rag (melody) and tal (rhythm), therefore there are times in these pieces which could be described as homophonic (when the tal is not present) and other times that can be described as polyphony (when the tal performs as a melodic line against the rag melody.