Texture A term that refers to the way the melodic, rhythmic and harmonic materials are woven together in a piece of music by, Kelly Schlittenhardt

Described in terms of density and range Density: is it thick or thin? Thick consisting of many voice parts and thin consisting of few voices Range: is it wide or narrow Wide has a large interval and narrow has a small interval

Texture Types Monophonic Polyphonic Homophonic Homorhythmic

Monophonic simplest texture consisting of a single melodic line Can be expanded by doubling in octaves or at other intervals (parallelism) Medieval Period

Polyphonic consists of two or more lines moving independently or in imitation of each other Lines may be similar or contrasting in character Renaissance Period

Homophonic made up of a melody and accompaniment Most common texture in western music Provides rhythmic and harmonic support for melody Classical Period

Homorhythmic similar rhythmic material in all parts aka “hymm style,” “chordal homophony,” or “chordal texture”

Primary Melodies (PM) The most important lines in musical texture In homophonic textures there is usually only one PM In polyphonic textures there may be several PM’s because the lines of equal importance

Secondary Melodies (SM) Other melodic lines not equal in significance to the PM Deciding between PM and SM requires musical judgement

Parallel Supporting Melodies (PSM) Melodies similar in contour with a PM Often maintain a constant interval relationship with the melody they support

Static Supporting Parts Two Types Sustained tones or chords (usually pedal tones) Repeated melodic and rhythmic figures