Musical Texture

 Musical Texture – how many different layers of sound are heard at once, melody or harmony, and how they relate to each other.  3 basic textures – monophonic, polyphonic, and homophonic

 Monophonic – a single melodic line without accompaniment  Unison – the performance of a single melodic line by more than one instrument

 Polyphonic – two or more melodic lines with equal importance and texture played at the same time.  Adds a dimension of interest – much like a painting  Counterpoint – combining several melodic lines into a meaningful composition.  Imitation – when a melodic line is played and then immediately restated by a different instrument.

 Homophonic – one main melody with accompaniment  Accompaniment can be very expressive but should never take away from the main melody

 Genre: symphony  Musical Characteristics: two contrasting themes, minor and major keys, farandole is a dance, homophonic texture, polyphony, and monophonic, march tempo, quadruple meter  Instruments: piccolo, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, cornet, trombone, timpani, tambourine, bass drum, cymbals, violin viola, cello, and bass