Texture

Monophonic

One sound, either one part or one instrument

Homophonic

sounding together, different parts are played, but they all move together

Polyphonic

many parts, parts of equal importance that move independently with each other

2,3 or 4 part textures

linked to polyphony, a piece has 2,3 or 4 independent layers

Unison

all together

Chordal

an accompaniment based more on the harmony/chord structure than melody

Imitation

Repetition of a melody in a polyphonic texture shortly after its first appearance in a different voice

Layered

layers are gradually added to the music to create interest (often in minimalism)

Melody & Accompaniment

a type of homophonic texture. Multiple voices of where the melody stands out prominently and the others form a background of harmonic accompaniment

Counter-melody

Secondary melody, played in conjunction (same time) as the main melody. Often used to create a polyphonic texture

Descant

Independent treble melody (medium → high pitch) sung or played above a basic melody

Round

the same melody played or sung, but started at different times (e.g row row row your boat & Frère Jacques

Canon

same melody started by different voices/instruments at different times, the melody line tends to develop

Drone

Harmonic or monophonic effect or accompaniment where a note or chord is continuously sounded throughout most/all of a piece

Alberti Bass

Broken chord/arpeggio played by the left hand on piano (bass). Played in the order: Low High Middle High. named after Domenico Alberti

Stab chords

a single short/staccato chord used to accentuate and add dramatic punctuation or tension (often in film music)

Walking Bass

Bass part in 4/4 time, a note is played on each beat of the bar, typically moving up or down a scale in small steps. (common feature of Blues & Jazz music