HIGHER Q & A 13: What is meant by POLYPHONIC and HOMOPHONIC?

Question: What is meant by POLYPHONIC and HOMOPHONIC?

Answer:

The terms polyphonic and homophonic are used to describe texture.

Polyphonic music consists of two or more melodic lines, usually of equal importance. This can result in music which sounds complex and busy.

Look at this and notice the different strands of melody, indicated by different colours. As each colour appears, it is not playing a simple accompaniment part, but continues as a strong melodic line throughout the piece. This is polyphonic music!

Here is the same piece - this time follow the music.

Here is another example of polyphonic music. This is a type of composition known as a fugue, an Advanced Higher concept. Notice the use of imitation - the main theme (called the subject) starts with the interval of an octave. Notice that each time a new line enters, it is with this interval of an octave and that the subject is heard imitated in the other lines. This piece also makes use of ornaments. Imitation, ornaments and polyphonic textures are features of Baroque music.

Music which is described as homophonic is less complex in terms of its texture.

Homophonic can mean:

music in which all the parts play a similar rhythm at the same time, like this -

                 

or

music which contains a single line of melody with accompaniment, like this - 

In the music above, a piece for piano, you will see that the left hand consists of a drone. The action is happening in the right hand part - our ear will be drawn to this. 

Listen to a couple of examples of homophonic music -