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Intermediate · 3 min

How musical parts fit together

Texture describes how musical lines and layers relate. Monophony is a single melodic line, including several performers in unison. Homophony often has a main melody with supporting accompaniment. Polyphony combines distinct melodic lines. These are analytical categories, and a work can move between textures rather than remaining in one category.

Practice

Several singers perform the same melody together in unison, without accompaniment. What is the texture?