TEXTURE IN MUSIC

Prepared by:
Micahella Balinas
Jessica Mae Taton
 Objectives

 Identifies different textures from music samples

1. Vocal
a. solo Voice
b. solo voice with accompaniment
c. duet, partner songs, round songs
2. Instrumental
a. solo
b. ensemble
 Distinguishes monophonic, homophonic and
polyphonic textures
Texture is one of the basic elements of
music. When you describe the texture of a
piece of music, you are describing the
relationship of melodic and (sometimes)
harmonic elements with each other.

For example, the texture of the music might

be thick or thin, or it may have many or few
layers. It might be made up of rhythm only,
or of a melody line with chordal
accompaniment.
Are You Sleeping, Brother John
Are you sleeping (2x)
Brother John (2x)
Morning bells are ringing (2x)
Ding dong ding (2x)
The many voices you hear at
the same time are called
TEXTURE.
What is texture?
Texture in music
-refers to the structure of a musical
composition showing how many
sounds, various layers or voices are
heard at the same time.
What are the three (3) kinds of
texture?

A. Monophonic or monophony

-Mono means one sound.

-single melodic line without
accompaniment
A. Monophonic or monophony

-Signifies only one voice

-Usually sung in Unison

Unison means multiple performers on the same line of

music.
Examples

1. Acapella – singing or performing along

without any accompaniment or
instruments to play along with the
performance.
2. A person whistling a tune
3. A group of people singing a song
together with harmonies or
instruments.
What are the three (3) kinds of
texture?

B. Homophonic Texture

-single melodic sound with

accompaniment
-focus on the melody supported by
another instrument like the guitar or
piano.
Examples

1. An acoustic performance wherein a

singer is accompanied by a musician
using his electric guitar.
What are the three (3) kinds of
texture?

C. Polyphonic Texture
Poly means many, thus “polyphonic”
involves the combination of many
sounds or voices.

It can be one melody with different voices

such as bass, tenor, alto and soprano. It can
be more than one melody played together.
The following are the examples of polyphonic texture:

1.Partner songs – two or more

independent songs happened to have
the same harmonic structure that can
be sung together at the same time.
The following are the examples of polyphonic texture:

2. Descant – an independent or counter

melody sung or played above the basic
melody
The following are the examples of polyphonic texture:

3. Round song – successive voices follow

the first in exact imitation on the notes at
a set time interval, continuing over and
over until the random end point.