Texture

Question 1

What is the term for a musical texture consisting of a single melodic line?

Answer 1

Monophonic

Monophonic texture features one unaccompanied melody.

Question 2

What term describes two or more voices or instruments playing the same melody at the same pitch?

Answer 2

Unison

Unison texture occurs when multiple performers sing or play the same note.

Question 3

What is the texture called when a melody is played in octaves?

Answer 3

Doubled in octaves

This texture enhances the richness of the melody by repeating it at higher or lower pitches.

Question 4

What is the term for a musical texture that has a primary melody accompanied by chords?

Answer 4

Homophonic / melody and accompaniment

In homophonic texture, a main melody is supported by harmonic accompaniment.

Question 5

What type of texture involves multiple independent melodies interweaving?

Answer 5

Polyphonic

Polyphonic texture features two or more melodies of equal importance.

Question 6

What term describes a texture where variations of a single melody are played simultaneously?

Answer 6

Heterophonic

Heterophonic texture occurs when musicians elaborate on the same melody in different ways.

Question 7

What is the term for a texture where one voice imitates another?

Answer 7

Imitative

Imitative texture often appears in counterpoint where one melody is echoed by another.

Question 8

What does the term ‘parallel motion’ refer to in music texture?

Answer 8

Parallel motion

Parallel motion occurs when two or more voices move in the same direction at the same interval.

Question 9

What musical texture is characterized by a single performer?

Answer 9

Solo

A solo texture features one instrument or voice performing alone.

Question 10

What is the term for a musical texture involving a full ensemble playing together?

Answer 10

Tutti

Tutti refers to all performers playing at the same time.

Question 11

What does ‘antiphonal’ mean in the context of musical texture?

Answer 11

Antiphonal

Antiphonal texture involves two or more groups of performers responding to each other.

Question 12

What are cluster chords?

Answer 12

Cluster chords

Cluster chords consist of a group of adjacent notes played together, creating a dissonant sound.

Question 13

What is a drone in music?

Answer 13

Drone

A drone is a sustained note or chord that provides a harmonic foundation for a melody.