Texture in depth

Texture is how the layers of music fit together. Learning the proper names helps you describe any piece precisely.

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The main textures

The main textures:
TextureWhat you hearExample
MonophonicA single melody line, with no accompanimentOne person singing alone
HomophonicA melody with chordal accompaniment, or all parts moving in the same rhythmA singer with a guitar strumming chords
Polyphonic (contrapuntal)Two or more independent melodies at onceA fugue by Bach
HeterophonicDifferent versions of the same melody at the same timeGamelan

More words for texture

Unison: everyone plays or sings the same notes (monophonic, even with many performers). Octaves: the same melody played an octave apart.
Melody and accompaniment: a type of homophonic texture.
Imitation: one part copies another a little later. A canon or round keeps the imitation going strictly.
Countermelody: a second, different melody played against the main tune.
Drone and ostinato textures: a held or repeated part underneath.
Thin or sparse textures have few layers; thick or dense textures have many.

Describing changes

Textures often change during a piece. For example, a song might start with a monophonic solo voice, then become homophonic when the band enters, then end with a thick, layered texture.
When you describe texture, name the type and say how many parts there are and what each is doing.
Worked example

A choir sings a round: group 1 starts, group 2 starts the same tune two bars later, then group 3. Describe the texture.

  1. Each group sings the same tune, but starting at different times.
  2. One part copying another later is imitation; strict imitation all the way through is a canon (round).
  3. The overlapping, independent lines make the texture polyphonic, and it gets thicker as each group enters.

Answer: A polyphonic texture using imitation (a canon), thickening as each group enters.

Key idea

Monophonic: one line. Homophonic: melody with chords. Polyphonic (contrapuntal): several independent melodies. Heterophonic: versions of one melody at once. Also unison, imitation, canon, countermelody, drone and ostinato; textures can be thin or thick.

Key words
Texture
How many layers of sound there are and how they fit together.
Monophonic
A texture of a single melody line with no accompaniment.
Homophonic
A texture of a melody with chordal accompaniment, or parts moving in the same rhythm.
Polyphonic
A texture of two or more independent melodies at the same time. Also called contrapuntal.
Heterophonic
A texture in which different versions of the same melody are played at the same time.
Unison
Everyone playing or singing the same notes at the same time.

All KS3 Music key terms and definitions →

Quick check

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Extra practice

2 more questions

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  1. A choir sings one melody in unison with no accompaniment. What is the texture?

    1. Monophonic
    2. Homophonic
    3. Polyphonic
    4. Heterophonic
    Show the answer

    Answer: Monophonic

    One melody line is monophonic.

  2. A pianist plays a tune in the right hand and chords in the left. What is the texture?

    1. Monophonic
    2. Polyphonic
    3. Homophonic
    4. Heterophonic
    Show the answer

    Answer: Homophonic

    Melody with chords is homophonic.

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Sources and references

Last updated 2 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us and we will fix it.