Monophony in GCSE
Make sure you have read and understand the basic information for Monophony before reading this page!
This page will go through specific GCSE set works and show how Monophony is used within these pieces.
This page will go through specific GCSE set works and show how Monophony is used within these pieces.
Set works which feature monophonic texture
As you can most of our set works only feature small sections of monophonic writing, the only major example we have is during Koko's Yiri.
This is because monophonic texture is often used to create contrast and not as the main texture. Most music uses accompaniment of some description to provide harmonic interest and a framework within which the melody is developed.
Monophony is however used within other parts of the set works, for example we can describe the vocal chorus group of Koko's Yiri as singing monophonically, as they are all singing in unison. This happens within the polyphonic section however, as the Balafons and percussion are playing against these vocal lines, all of which are equally as important as each other.
- Handel - bar 108-109 only
- Chopin- Last few bars only
- Schoenberg- Occasional sections
- Reich- Opening two bars only
- Capercaillie- N.C. (No chord) bars leading into the full band chorus only
- Koko- Opening balafon section
As you can most of our set works only feature small sections of monophonic writing, the only major example we have is during Koko's Yiri.
This is because monophonic texture is often used to create contrast and not as the main texture. Most music uses accompaniment of some description to provide harmonic interest and a framework within which the melody is developed.
Monophony is however used within other parts of the set works, for example we can describe the vocal chorus group of Koko's Yiri as singing monophonically, as they are all singing in unison. This happens within the polyphonic section however, as the Balafons and percussion are playing against these vocal lines, all of which are equally as important as each other.
Listen to the set work listed above and watch out for the monophonic sections, notice how they are used to create contrast and the effect this has overall in the music.