Chapter 5

Musical Texture

Texture

• Melodic lines may be thought of as the various threads that make up the musical fabric or the texture.– Monophony – mono (single)– Heterophony – Melody combined with an ornamented (decorated

version of itself). Jazz is a great example of this; heterophony can be heard when improvisation (making it up on the spot) takes place.

– Polyphony – poly (many) (also called “counterpoint” – note against note)

– Homophony – There is one line that gets the listeners attention – probably the texture of your favorite song; most prevalent today.

– Homorhythm – When the voices move at exactly the same time.

Texture

• Imitation – When a melody is heard in one voice and then restated in another.

• Types of music:– Canon – A strictly

imitative work. One voice imitates the other.

– Round – Same thing – a good example is Row, Row, Row Your Boat.(See page 28)

Chapter 6 – Musical Form(the music’s structure of shape)

• Basic elements –– Repetition

• Strophic form – when the same melody is used but with different words.

– Contrast– Variation -- When the

music changes a bit, but you can still recognize the tune, although perhaps notes are added to decorate it.

• The Structure –– Binary (bi means two)

• Two-part form• AB

– Ternary (three)• Three-part form

– Through composed• Just keeps on going with

no repetition of anything recognizable – all the way through.

The Building Blocks• Theme – a tune that you can

sing.• Motive – a very short tune (like

Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony opening—it’s only four notes)

• Thematic Development – taking one idea and expanding it.

• Sequence – A way to use a theme, by stating it once, and then stating it again, but a little higher or lower.

Land where my father’s diedLand of the pilgrim’s pride

• Call and Response or responsorial – where a leader sings something and a chorus “responds.” Often used in churches.

• Ostinato -- Comes from the words “obstinate.” A stubborn pattern that is repeated over and over. Sometimes it is a bass line; sometimes it is just harmonies – the repetition of the same chords over and over.

• Movement – Many pieces are lengthy like orchestral symphonies. These are usually divided up into smaller units, or movements.