[Symbolic-Music-Encoding]#1.7 Musical Texture

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teh22szdnRQ
This session explains musical texture really well

Monophonic

Monophonic: Monophonic music contains a single melodic line or voice without any additional harmony or accompaniment. This melodic line can be played or sung by one instrument or many instruments in unison. The critical aspect of monophonic music is that all instruments or voices follow the same melody without deviating from it. An example of monophonic music can be a simple melody sung by a solo vocalist or a group of musicians playing the same melody in unison.

Polyphonic

Polyphonic: Polyphonic music consists of multiple independent melodic lines or voices that harmonize and interact with one another. These melodic lines can be played or sung by different instruments or groups of instruments. The complexity of polyphonic music can vary, ranging from simple two-part textures (e.g., a melody and its accompanying harmony) to intricate, multi-voiced compositions. An example of polyphonic music can be a choir singing in four-part harmony or a classical piece with multiple instruments playing different melodies simultaneously.

Homophonic

Homophonic : A music composition featuring one piano with a lead melody line (played by the right hand) and accompaniment (chords or arpeggio played by the left hand) would be defined as homophonic. In homophonic music, there is a clear distinction between the main melody and its accompaniment. The accompaniment typically provides harmonic and rhythmic support to the leading melody without presenting its own distinct melodic line. Homophony is a specific type of polyphonic texture, where one voice dominates while the other voices provide harmony or accompaniment, rather than having multiple, independent melodic lines. So, in the case of music composed for a single piano with a lead melody in one hand and accompaniment in the other, the texture would be categorized as homophonic.

Heterophonic

Heterophonic: Heterophonic texture consists of two or more voices or instruments simultaneously playing variations of the same melody. This texture is common in some traditional and world music, where each musician embellishes and interprets a single melody differently while maintaining the basic melodic structure.