Texture (Junior Cert Music): Flashcards

What does texture describe in music?

Layers/lines in music & how they interact

Texture measures number of...

Melodies (not instruments)

Two layers of sound in music

1. Melody 2. Accompaniment

Definition of melody

Main tune that holds our attention

Definition of accompaniment

Music played with melody that provides support

Thin texture characteristic

One melody line

Thick texture characteristic

Many lines or layers

Three main texture terms

Monophonic, homophonic, polyphonic

Monophonic texture meaning

One layer, the melody only

Homophonic texture meaning

Melody + accompaniment with harmonic support

Polyphonic texture meaning

Two or more independent melodic lines woven together

Example of monophonic texture

Solo singer, plainchant, sean-nós singing

Example of homophonic texture

Pop songs, hymn singing

Example of polyphonic texture

Baroque fugues, canons, rounds