texture

Monophonic

A single melodic line with no harmony or accompaniment.

Homophonic

A texture where all parts move together at the same time, often with a melody supported by chords.

Polyphonic

A texture with two or more independent melodic lines played at the same time.

2, 3 or 4 Part Textures

Music written with two, three, or four independent musical lines or voices, often seen in choral or instrumental music.

Unison

When two or more parts play or sing the same pitch or melody at the same time.

Chordal

A texture based on block chords, where all notes in the chord are played at the same time.

Imitation

When a musical idea is repeated in another part, often at a different pitch or time.

Layered

Different musical ideas or patterns are added on top of each other, creating a fuller texture.

Melody and Accompaniment

A texture where a main melody is supported by an accompaniment, such as chords or rhythm.

Countermelody – a secondary melody played alongside the main melody that adds interest and harmony.

Descant

a higher melodic line that is played or sung above the main melody.

Round

a type of canon where each voice enters with the same melody at different times (e.g. Frère Jacques).

Canon

a piece in which a melody is imitated exactly by one or more voices after a delay

Drone

a sustained or repeated note (or notes), usually in the bass, that continues throughout a piece or section.

Alberti bass

a repeated broken-chord accompaniment pattern, usually in the left hand of keyboard music (low–high–middle–high).

Stab chords

short, sharp chords played for emphasis, often on off-beats (common in pop, rock, and jazz – (do not use this term for traditional or Baroque/Classical/Romantic music – use accented notes.)

Walking bass

a bass line that moves stepwise, usually in steady crotchets (quarter notes), common in jazz and blues