1. Elements of Music
Texture

2. Texture
Definition: The interaction of melodies and harmonies within a song.
These can be:
Instruments
Singers
Combination of both

3. Texture Texture can be thick or thin
Thin – having very few differing musical parts
Thick – having many differing musical parts
You can think of texture like a sandwich.
A thin texture could be a grilled cheese sandwich
A thick texture would be a giant sub sandwich with ham, turkey, cheese, lettuce, tomato, mustard, mayo, etc.

4. Terminology Monophonic (unison)
Monophonic music only has one musical part – the melody line – absolutely NO harmony or accompaniment.
Examples of monophonic music:
One person whistling
A group singing someone ‘Happy Birthday’ without harmonies or instruments
A solo instrument (like a trumpet) playing

5. Terminology… Homophonic (block chords)
Homophonic music has the melody and a supporting part providing accompaniment or fill chords.
Examples of homophonic music:
A singer accompanied by a guitar picking or strumming chords.
A small jazz combo with a bass, a piano, and a drum set providing the ‘rhythm’ background for a trumpet solo.
A person playing the bagpipes (where the drones provide the accompaniment.)

6. Terminology Polyphonic (different sounds or voices)
Polyphonic music has parts that weave in and out of each other. There are more than one independent melody occurring at the same time.
Examples of polyphonic music:
A choir singing a round or canon (Row, Row, Row your Boat.)
Most pieces of music for a large instrumental group (orchestra)
Adding in a back-up singers or a second instrument playing harmony opposite to the melody.

7. How do you figure out the texture of a song?
Listen to the piece of music and write down the following information about it:
Describe the piece as THICK or THIN.
Pick a technical term – monophonic, homophonic, or polyphonic.
Make sure you mention any changes!
Then, list the instruments used in the piece of music.

8. Nina Simone – “Feeling Good”
8SXOs
Ed Sheeran – “Photograph” VQ