Musical texture refers to how musical lines interact and can be described as monophonic, polyphonic, or homophonic. Monophonic texture has a single unaccompanied melodic line. Polyphonic texture features two or more independent melodic lines of equal importance. Homophonic texture uses a main melody supported by chords or accompaniment. Musical form uses techniques like repetition, contrast, and variation to organize a composition. Common forms include ternary form (ABA) and binary form (AB). Musical style is characterized by elements like melody, rhythm, and harmony that distinguish composers and time periods.

1. Musical Texture,
Form, and Style
How musical lines interact

2. What is Musical Texture?
• Musical Texture refers to a number of different characteristics of
music
• Texture is the number of parts playing
• It refers to whether each line is a melody or harmony part
• Texture refers to how each part relates to each other
• Can be described as thick, thin, dense, heavy, light
• Variations in texture can create contrast and drama
• We will look at three basic textures
• Monophonic
• Polyphonic
• Homophonic

3. Monophonic Texture- “One
Sound”
• Monophonic means that there is one melodic line with no
harmony or accompaniment
• If multiple voices or instruments are playing in unison, it is still
Monophonic
• Examples of monophonic music
• Singing solo a capella
• Gregorian chant
• Unaccompanied instrumental sonatas

4. Polyphonic Music- “Many
Sounds”
• Polyphonic means that there are two or more melodic lines of equal
importance
• Technique of writing several melodic lines that interact is called
counterpoint
• Often uses imitation, which is when one voice or instrument presents
a melodic idea, then another voice repeats it
• Not always exact imitation
• Examples of polyphonic music
• Rounds, fugues, and canons
• Partner songs

5. Homophonic Music- “Same
Sounds”
• Homophonic means there is one main melody with a less important
accompaniment
• Accompaniment could be as simple as chords, or it could be more
complex
• If a line in the accompaniment starts to stand out and become more
important, then the texture changes to polyphonic
• Examples of homophonic music
• Melody and accompaniment
• Traditional hymn arrangments

6. Farandole by Georges Bizet
• Has two themes: a march theme and a dance theme
• Starts with the march theme in a homophonic texture, then then
violins and violas play a polyphonic section
• The high woodwinds then play the dance theme in a homophonic
texture
• After the full orchestra plays the dance theme, the strings play a
monophonic version of the march theme
• Listen for other changes in texture

7. “Hallelujah” by Georg Frideric
Handel
• Switches rapidly between all three textures
• Word “Hallelujah” is usually homophonic, with some imitative
polyphony
• “For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth” is usually monophonic
• “And he shall reign” is always polyphonic
• Changes in texture create contrast for each section of the
piece

8. MUSICAL FORM
• Three techniques that create Form
• Repetition
• Allows the listener to become familiar with a theme or melody
• Often used with another technique
• Contrast
• Can be a change of mood, dynamics, tempo, timbre
• Variation
• Alteration of a musical idea so it’s different but still recognizable
• Entire pieces can be composed using this technique

9. Two Major types of Form
• Ternary Form
• Three sections: A B A
• Can be looked at as a statement of a theme, a contrasting
section, and a return to the original
• Each section can also be subdivided, as well
• Example: Dance of the Reed Pipes from The Nutcracker Suite-
By Peter Tchaikovsky
• A section introduces the melody
• B section uses the trumpets and strings to vary the melody
• Return to the A section with the flutes

10. Two Major types of Form
• Binary Form
• Two sections: A B
• Can be looked at as a statement of a theme and then a
counterstatement with a different theme.
• Any section can be repeated
• Example: “Contradance No. 7 in E-Flat Major” By Ludwig Von
Beethoven
• A section uses the 1st
violins to introduce the melody, then it is
repeated
• B section uses a rapid ascending scale, and gives a sense of
finality to the piece

11. Musical Style
• Style- a characteristic way of using melody, rhythm, harmony,
dynamics, timbre, texture, and form.
• Particular combinations create a distinctive sound
• Composers from the same area, time, or country often use
similar styles
• Musical styles change over time, but it is often gradual