Texture & Melody Flashcards
Define texture.
How the different layers of the music weave together.
Describe a ‘unison’ texture.
Everyone sings/plays exactly the same thing at the same time.
Describe an ‘imitative texture’.
One part copies or repeats what another musical part has just done.
Describe a ‘harmonic/homophonic’ texture.
The different parts of the music move together.
Describe an ‘octave’ texture.
The pitch of the instruments or singers is an octave apart.
Describe a ‘layered’ texture.
Sections of music that are repeated again and again are loops. When lots of loops are played at the same time this is layered texture.
Describe a ‘heterophonic’ texture.
Two or more slightly different versions of the same melody played at the same time.
Describe a ‘canonic’ texture.
Each part is the same and overlaps, but they start at different times.
Describe an ‘antiphonal’ texture.
Two groups of musicians who take it in turns to play in a kind of musical conversation.
Describe a ‘polyphonic/contrapuntal’ texture.
The different parts of the music are interwoven and are equally important. Different sounds at the same time.
Describe a ‘monophonic’ texture.
No accompaniment or harmony, just one line of melody.
What is a melody?
The tune.
What is a ‘melody with accompaniment’?
Melody with instruments or singers accompanying to provide harmony.
What are the features of a ‘conjunct’ melody?
Smooth, moves by step.
What is a ‘modal’ melody?
Uses notes from the ancient scales called modes.
What is a ‘melodic sequence’?
When a melody is repeated at different pitches.
What is a ‘whole tone melody’?
Uses notes from the whole tone scale- no semitones.
What are the features of a ‘disjunct’ melody?
Lots of jumps and leaps.
What is an ‘arpeggio’?
The first chord of a key, with the last note played on top.
