homophony

views updated May 18 2018

homophony (Gk., ‘Same-sounding’). Term applied to mus. in which the parts or vv. move ‘in step’ with one another, instead of exhibiting individual rhythmic independence and interest, as in polyphony. Many modern hymn-tunes are homophonic, whereas Bach's settings of Ger. chorales and many Handelian choruses are polyphonic.

homophony

views updated May 17 2018

homophony In music, the sounding in unison of voices or instruments. It also refers to a musical texture with a predominant melody part and an accompaniment, as opposed to monophony (music in a single part) or polyphony.