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 died Land 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.