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Homophony

Definition

Homophony is a musical texture characterized by one main melody supported by harmonies that enrich and accompany it. It's like having a lead singer backed up by instrumentalists playing chords.

Analogy

Think of homophony as being part of a band performance, where the lead vocalist sings the main melody while other musicians play chords in the background, adding depth and support.

Related terms

Monophony: Monophonic texture consists of only one melodic line without any accompanying harmony.

Polyphony: Polyphonic texture involves multiple independent melodic lines occurring simultaneously, resulting in complex harmonies.

Chordal Accompaniment: Chordal accompaniment refers to supporting melodies with chords played on instruments such as piano or guitar.

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AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.