Polyphony meaning in music

We explain the basics of polyphony and how it works, with examples from well-known composers. The word polyphony comes from the Greek for 'many sounds', which gives you an instant clue as to how the term is used in relation to music. Polyphony is essentially a term used to describe the polyphony meaning in music use of two or more melodies or voices within a composition.

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'polyphony. Send us feedback about these examples. Accessed 2 Mar. Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free! See Definitions and Examples ».

Polyphony meaning in music

Add to word list Add to word list. Types of music. Afrobeat Afrobeats ambient music anthemic atonal drum and bass dubstep early music easy listening EDM Latinize Latinized mariachi melodically monophonic symphonically techno Tejano Tex-Mex toccata See more results ». Related word polyphonic. Examples of polyphony. There are almost no technological grounds to withhold wax tablets from the hands of composers of polyphony anytime from the eleventh to the fifteenth century. From the Cambridge English Corpus. Organum probably refers to early vocal polyphony , although the term can also suggest the instrument of the same name. There the mellifluous voices of choirboys, the harmony of improvised polyphony , and the cadences of locally composed plainchant incited the populace to veneration. This meant in a certain way translating a virtual, implicit polyphony into a real, explicit one. Because of the multitude and layering or ' polyphony ' of compositional gestures, there was a multitude of mappings.

The notion of secular and sacred music merging in the papal court also offended some medieval ears.

Fig 1: Baroque orchestra, Nuremburg: Ger. Polyphony is a musical texture that features two or more equally prominent melodic lines played at the same time. Each of these lines can be thought of as a melody in its own right -- one that could be sung, played, or listened to independently of the others. But it is the combination of the different strands, all interacting together, that creates polyphony. Fig 2: Four independent, simultaneous lines, forming a polyphonic texture.

Table of Contents. Polyphony is a term used in music to describe a texture that features two or more equally prominent melodic lines played or sung simultaneously. It is the opposite of monophony, which consists of a single melodic line. In polyphonic music, each melodic line is independent but related, creating a complex and layered sound. The melodic lines in polyphony can be rhythmically differentiated, and they often interact and harmonize with each other. Polyphony is a defining characteristic of Western art music and sets it apart from the music of other cultures. Polyphony has been used in music compositions for centuries, and its form has varied over time. It developed throughout the 10th to 13th centuries and gained prominence during the Renaissance period when compositions became more complex and intricate.

Polyphony meaning in music

Since poly- means "many", polyphonic music has "many voices". In polyphony, each part has its own melody, and they weave together in a web that may become very dense; a famous piece by Thomas Tallis, composed around , has 40 separate voice parts. Polyphony reached its height during the 16th century with Italian madrigals and the sacred music of such composers as Tallis, Palestrina, and Byrd. Usually when we speak of polyphony we're talking about music of Bach's time and earlier; but the principles remain the same today, and songwriters such as the Beatles have sometimes used polyphony as well. These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'polyphonic. Send us feedback about these examples. Test your knowledge of musical terminology and Italian. Accessed 3 Mar. Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free! See Definitions and Examples ».

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None of the contributions concerns either polyphony or secular music-making; the focus is on the history of plainchant and liturgy. Fuging Tunes in the Eighteenth Century. Monophony vs polyphony: what's the difference? See Definitions and Examples ». Essential American English. Music in Human Evolution. In other projects. Bach 's " Fugue No. English—Dutch Dutch—English. English—Swedish Swedish—English. Translator tool. Finally, after creating incredible tension, the texture changes to what we call homophony , as we hear the melody again triumphantly on top, but with the other members of the orchestra in a supporting role.

But what is polyphony in music, exactly, and what importance does it have in the history of sound and composition?

Can you solve 4 words at once? History of music theory, books I and II: polyphonic theory to the sixteenth century, Book 2. In short, canons at the unison are children's 'rounds' by which they could sing their first imitative polyphony. Nova Science Publishers. Dictionary Definitions Clear explanations of natural written and spoken English. There are three types of polyphony in Georgia: complex polyphony, which is common in Svaneti; polyphonic dialogue over a bass background, prevalent in the Kakheti region in Eastern Georgia; and contrasted polyphony with three partially improvised sung parts, characteristic of western Georgia. See also: Traditional sub-Saharan African harmony. Afrobeat Afrobeats ambient music anthemic atonal drum and bass dubstep early music easy listening EDM Latinize Latinized mariachi melodically monophonic symphonically techno Tejano Tex-Mex toccata See more results ». Music in Human Evolution'. This point-against-point conception is opposed to "successive composition", where voices were written in an order with each new voice fitting into the whole so far constructed, which was previously assumed. We explain the basics of polyphony and how it works, with examples from well-known composers. Harmony was considered frivolous, impious, lascivious, and an obstruction to the audibility of the words. Visit our musical terms dictionary to find out about other musical definitions you may not know. Log In.