monophony
Single melodic line
Monophony is music consisting of a single melodic line without accompaniment or harmony—one voice, one note at a time.
Gregorian chant is the classic example.
The term contrasts with polyphony (multiple independent voices) and homophony (melody with chordal accompaniment).
The monks sang in monophony.
Unaccompanied liturgical melody
- GregorianNamed for a pope
- liturgyFormal worship structure
- vespersEvening devotional service
- matinsLiturgical dawn devotions
psalmody · requiem · magnificat · introit · alleluia
Simultaneous identical action
- counterpointSimultaneous independent melodies
- melodyPleasing sequence of notes
- single-lineContained to one row
- unaccompaniedWithout others present
solo · voice · drone · parallel · octave · doubling · monody
plainchant
Unaccompanied liturgical melody
matins · psalmody · requiem · magnificat · introit · alleluia
unison
Simultaneous identical action
- counterpointSimultaneous independent melodies
- melodyPleasing sequence of notes
- single-lineContained to one row
unaccompanied · solo · voice · drone · parallel · octave · doubling · monody
medieval
Of the Middle Ages
- ByzantineOf Constantinople's civilization
- antiquityGreat age, ancient era
- classicalOf ancient Greece/Rome
ancient · manuscript · notation · troubadour · recitative
melody
Pleasing sequence of notes
interval · contour · phrase · cadence · tonic · modality · diatonic · chromatic · intonation · range
monophonypolyphony
Simultaneous independent melodic lines
counterpoint · fugue · canon · harmony · homophony
monophonypolyphony
Simultaneous independent melodic lines
homophony · four-part harmony · orchestral music · ensemble music · part-singing