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

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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)

7. 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

8. 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

9. Listening Examples
Musical Texture in Rock Music AP Music Theory: Music Texture