AP Music Theory Mr. Silvagni Texture AP Music Theory Mr. Silvagni

What is Texture in Music? Music texture is how much is going on in the music at any given moment Overall, it describes the relationships of melodies and harmonies in a piece of music Counterpoint – distinct musical lines that sound harmonious when played together…focuses primarily on melodic interaction This is the composing a bass line free response question

Monophony Monophony – music that has only one melodic line, with no harmony or counterpoint there may be rhythmic accompaniment, but only one line with specific pitches Ex. Solo instrument performance or a choir singing all in unison NOT to be confused with monody, which refers to a solo vocal style distinguished by having a single melodic line and instrumental accompaniment.

Homophony Homophony – one clear melodic line with accompaniment Accompaniment parts may still have melodic interest Accompaniment may use counterpoint Ex. Choral music in which the parts have mostly the same rhythms at the same time; barbershop quartet; Protestant hymns Chordal Homophony – every line or voice moving together with exactly the same rhythm

Homophony Melody with accompaniment – one clear melody line, but the melody is not limited to chords moving together Ex. Singer with guitar, small jazz combo, piano solo Types of accompaniment Ostinato – short melodic, rhythmic, or harmonic pattern repeated Alberti bass – broken chord bass line, usually (Do-Sol-Mi-Sol-Mi-Sol) or something similar Walking bass – a regular quarter-note movement similar to feet walking…rises and falls…mostly found in jazz Ragtime – features syncopated rhythms over straight rhythms…early 1900s piano music

Polyphony Polyphony – more than one independent melody is occurring at the same time Pure counterpoint/contrapuntal Ex. Round, canon, fugue Imitative Polyphony – various melodic lines sound similar Nonimitative Polyphony – various melodic lines sound independent of each other Countermelody – a secondary melody or line played simultaneously with a more prominent melody Fugue – theme or subject is introduced by one voice and is imitated by others (fugal imitation)

Heterophony Heterophony – one melody line, but different variations of it are being sung or played at the same time Ex. Bluegrass, Cajun, and zydeco Other ex. Middle Eastern, South Asian, central Eurasian, and Native American music may have

Other Terms Solo – single performer or a passage to be performed by a single performer Soli – directive to perform an indicated passage of a composition with an entire section of an ensemble Tutti – all members play

Listening Examples Musical Texture in Rock Music http://www.lipscomb.umn.edu/rock/Texture.htm AP Music Theory: Music Texture https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_J2R20X16Jc