Music Terminology - Texture Flashcards

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1
Q

Monophonic

A

Having a single unaccompanied melody. Sometimes this can also include a single melody line in octaves.

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2
Q

Homophonic

A

A primary part (melody) is supported by one or more additional strands that flesh out the harmony. There are usually 2 types:

  1. Melody and Accompaniment - Melody with any type of harmonic support.
  2. Homorhythmic - Where the underlying harmonic accompaniment has the same rhythm as melody (e.g. Bach Chorales).
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3
Q

Polyphonic

A

Two or more parts each having a melody of its own. These will usually compete with one another for the listeners attention.

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4
Q

Contrapuntal

A

Often interchangeable with “polyphony”, however, they are not the same. Counterpoint is the study of the rules for making melodic lines independent. These “contrapuntal” passages will inevitably end with polyphonic textures.

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5
Q

Heterophonic

A

Simultaneous variation of a single melody line. Usually, 2 instruments will play the same melody line with one of the parts having the occasional embellishment; this could include passing tones, trills, mordents, turns, etc.

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6
Q

Unison

A

Where 2 or more instruments will play the exact same melody at the same pitch.

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7
Q

Chordal

A

Related to chords

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8
Q

Imitation

A

The repetition of a melody (in a polyphonic texture) shortly after its first appearance but in a different voice. The melody may vary through transposition, inversion, or otherwise, but retain its “original character”.

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9
Q

Melody-Dominated (Driven) Homophony

A

Refers to a texture that focuses on the main melody with accompaniment coming from different voices and instruments. There is generally a “main character”/ “supporting role” relationship.

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9
Q

Melody-Dominated (Driven) Homophony

A

Refers to a texture that focuses on the main melody with accompaniment coming from different voices and instruments. There is generally a “focus” “supporting role” relationship.

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10
Q

Countermelody

A

A subordinate melody accompanying a principal one.

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11
Q

Counterpoint

A

Refers to the rules that govern independent melody lines. This will usually address the interdependence of harmony and the appropriate use of rhythmic variation and part entry.

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12
Q

Descant

A

Mostly found in vocal music, but not exclusively. Refers to an independent treble melody sung or played above a basic melody. In choral music, this would be a high soprano/high male part introduced for the final refrain/chorus.

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13
Q

Round

A

Also called a perpetual canon is a musical composition in which a minimum of three voices sing exactly the same melody but with each voice beginning at different times so that different parts of the melody coincide in the different voices, but nevertheless fit harmoniously together.

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14
Q

Canon

A

Similar to a round, except the voices don’t need to be exact imitations. The later entries can be varied and manipulated in a host of different ways to generate other harmonies.

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15
Q

Drone

A

Music that uses a continuous sustained tone/note. This note is referred to as a drone, and the wider musical practice of employing such a note as a feature of the texture is called “drone music”.

16
Q

Layering

A

Refers to multiple musical parts that are “stacked” on top of one another. This is similar to the recording process of the same name. Commonly found in Minimalist music.

17
Q

Stretto

A

In music, “stretto” can have 2 meanings:

1 . In a fugue, stretto is the imitation of the subject in close succession, so that the answer enters before the subject is completed.
2. In non-fugal compositions, a stretto is a passage, often at the end of an aria or movement, in a faster tempo.

18
Q

Antiphonal (Antiphony)

A

Common in church music, or a section of a church liturgy that is sung, recited or played alternately by two groups. This will usually be in a “call and response” manner.

19
Q

Fugal

A

Relating to a fugue.

A fugue is a compositional procedure characterised by the systematic imitation of a principal theme (called the subject) in counterpoint between voices. This will be developed into a full musical form/structure. More complex than a canon or round.

20
Q

Improvisation

A

Where parts of the music are “made up” by performers in the moment.