Types of texture

Monophonic music has only one melodic line.


Polyphonic music has several melodic lines. Types of polyphony:

Drone: The melody is played along with a note fixed in pitch.

Heterophonic texture. Two or more voices simultaneously performing variations of the same melody.

Contrapuntal texture. Two or more independent melodies played at the same time. The parts move with rhythmic independence.

Homophonic texture. Two or more parts move at the same time, together in harmony. A homophonic texture is also homorhythmic.

Melody-dominated texture. It has one clearly melodic line (it's the line that naturally draws your attention) and all other parts provide accompaniment for the lead voice