Musical Texture - Examples

Examples of Musical Texture

Identifying musical texture

The Questions:

How many different melodies am I hearing?
if one and only one, the texture is monophonic, otherwise ...

What is the relationship between the melodies?

if one is more important than all others, the texture is homophonic; in this case, your attention typically stays focused on a single melody consistently throughout the excerpt
if several melodies are equally important, the texture is polyphonic; in this case, your attention tends to move back and forth between the various melodies, rather than staying focused on only a single "most important" melody

For either homophonic or polyphonic textures, which precise category best fits?

if homophonic, determine whether the texture is ...
1. "homophonic, melody & accompaniment" - one important melody with other parts that are obviously supportive in their function ... necessary, but not demanding of one's central focus of attention
2. "homophonic, chordal" - multiple melodies proceeding with the same rhythm, resulting in the sound of sequential blocks of chords
if polyphonic, determine whether the texture is ...
1. "polyphonic, imitative" - one or more parts imitates (echoes) the melody present in one of the other parts
2. "polyphonic, nonimitative" - two or parts that are relatively equal in importance, but do not include parts that imitate one another

"Mercedes Benz" by Janis Joplin

Distinguishing between Monophonic & Chordal Homophonic textures:
"Takin' Care of Business" by Bachman-Turner Overdrive

texture of vocals:
3:57 to 4:04 - monophonic vocals
4:05 to 4:12 homophonic-chordal vocals


Homophonic (chordal)
"Carry On Wayward Son" by Kansas (opening phrases & vocals in chorus)
"Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen (opening phrases)	Classic scene from Wayne's World (1992)

"Fat Bottomed Girls" by Queen
"Seven Bridges Road" by The Eagles

Homophonic (melody & accompaniment)
"She's Got a Way" by Billy Joel
"Steamroller" by James Taylor
"Carry On Wayward Son" by Kansas (verses)

Polyphonic
"Black Water" by The Doobie Brothers
"We Have Heaven" by Yes
"Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen (operatic section)
"Carry On Wayward Son" by Kansas (guitar solo)

Changing Textures
"Good Vibrations" by The Beach Boys
"Surfer Girl" by The Beach Boys
"Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen

Examples of Musical Texture