Imitative polyphony
Polyphony
In music, polyphony is one type of musical texture, where a texture is, generally speaking, the way that melodic, rhythmic, and harmonic aspects of a musical composition are combined to shape the overall sound and quality of the work.
Guys and Dolls
Guys and Dolls is a musical with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser and book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows. It is based on "The Idyll of Miss Sarah Brown" and "Blood Pressure", which are two short stories by Damon Runyon, and also borrows characters and plot elements from other …
What is polyphony and why is it important?
Why is polyphony so important? Polyphony may be likened to a dialogue, a discussion, or even an argument between two or more speakers, all talking concurrently. As a result, polyphony may be judged as the most complex of all the musical textures, since it challenges a listener to concentrate on several, equally important layers of sound.
What is another word for imitative?
Synonyms for imitative include mimicking, mimetic, mimic, similar, unoriginal, copied, copycat, parrot-like, put-on and apish. Find more similar words at wordhippo.com!
What is a characteristic of polyphony?
Polyphony, the opposite of monophony (one voice, such as chant), is the outstanding characteristic that differentiates Western art music from the music of all other cultures. The special polyphony of ensembles in Asian music includes a type of melodic variation, better described as heterophony, that is not truly contrapuntal in the Western sense.
What is the meaning of polyphony?
Polyphony, also known as a counterpoint or contrapuntal music, is a formal musical texture that contains at least two or more lines of independent melody. It’s believed to be the least popular among all three textures. Polyphony is often associated with Renaissance music and Baroque forms, such as fugue.
What song is a good example of imitative polyphony?
Imitative polyphony (a main idea that is passed through different voices) can be used to emphasize text while also filling space. For example, in Frank Losser's Guys and Dolls, imitative polyphony has a heavy presence in the song "Fugue for Tinhorns".
What is imitative in music?
In music, imitation is the repetition of a melody in a polyphonic texture shortly after its first appearance in a different voice. The melody may vary through transposition, inversion, or otherwise, but retain its original character.
What is polyphony example?
An example of polyphonic texture might be a popular pop song which incorporates the lead singer, backup singers, and instruments in the background. Monophonic music can be thought of as different singers singing in harmony with each other during a chorus, but singing at the same or different pitches.
Which are descriptions of imitative polyphony quizlet?
Imitative polyphony occurs when: various musical lines are heard one after another with the same melody or similar melodies. The three main textures of Western art music are: monophony, homophony, and polyphony.
What are the two main types of polyphony?
Polyphony is usually divided into two main types: imitative and non-imitative. Either the various melodic lines in a polyphonic passage may sound similar to one another, or they may be completely independent in their rhythm and contour.
What is an example of imitation in music?
For example: In choir music, a melody may be sound by the sopranos and then repeated by the basses. In piano music, the melody may be played in the right hand and then repeated in the left hand. In contemporary pop music, imitation is used a lot, particularly between the lead vocalist and backing singers.
How do you identify polyphony in music?
Polyphonic. Polyphonic music can also be called polyphony, counterpoint, or contrapuntal music. If more than one independent melody is occurring at the same time, the music is polyphonic.
What does polyphony mean in music?
polyphony, in music, the simultaneous combination of two or more tones or melodic lines (the term derives from the Greek word for “many sounds”).
Why is polyphony important in music?
Polyphony may be likened to a dialogue, a discussion, or even an argument between two or more speakers, all talking concurrently. As a result, polyphony may be judged as the most complex of all the musical textures, since it challenges a listener to concentrate on several, equally important layers of sound.
What are characteristics of polyphonic textures?
Polyphony is a type of musical texture consisting of two or more simultaneous lines of independent melody, as opposed to a musical texture with just one voice, monophony, or a texture with one dominant melodic voice accompanied by chords, homophony.
What is monophonic texture examples?
Monophonic examples include a single unaccompanied Bavarian yodeler, or a cantor in a Catholic church mass leading a congregation on a unison hymnal melody. Whether performing alone or performing the same line with multiple people, only one melody line is performed.
What is an example of homophonic texture?
So, a homophonic texture is where you can have multiple different notes playing, but they're all based around the same melody. A rock or pop star singing a song while playing guitar or piano at the same time is an example of homophonic texture.
What do you mean by imitative?
Definition of imitative 1a : marked by imitation acting is an imitative art. b : reproducing or representing a natural sound : onomatopoeic "hiss" is an imitative word. c : exhibiting mimicry.
What is imitative counterpoint in music?
Imitative counterpoint involves the repetition of a main melodic idea across different vocal parts, with or without variation. Compositions written in free counterpoint often incorporate non-traditional harmonies and chords, chromaticism and dissonance.
What is imitative structure?
Term. imitative structures. Definition. mirroring as exactly as possible the structure of something that already exists as an object and can be seen. Term.
What is imitative slang?
Imitative Imitative is a form of slang word type, which imitates the other words or combination of two words that result in different meaning.
What is imitative polyphony?
In contrast to the independence of the musical lines in non-imitative polyphony, imitative polyphony allows the members of a polyphonic texture to share audible features of the melodic material, as they echo portions of it among the various parts.
When did the imitative texture appear in music?
Similarly, although it appears in medieval compositions from as early as the 13th century, imitative polyphonic textures were especially exploited in music from the later Renaissance and the Baroque periods, from approximately 1500-1750.
What is the meaning of the paper on fugue?
Marpurg's Abhandlung von der Fuge (Paper on Fugue): Imitation and fugue in general. 1. The restatement of a subject by use of the same tones in the same part is called repetition. The restatement of a subject by use of different tones in the same part is called transposition.
What is counterpoint in music?
It might also be said that counterpoint is a kind of harmony that contains diverse variations of sounds or steps, using rational intervallic proportions and temporal measurements; or that it is an artful union of diverse sounds reduced to concordance.
How many species of imitation are there?
The alternating use of one subject in various parts may occur not only at the unison but also at all other intervals. Hence there are eight general species of imitation [corresponding to eight standardized sizes of interval]...
What is periodic imitation?
Periodic imitation in all its kinds and species may be used in two ways: a) Incidental periodic imitation, which, according to the judgment of the composer, may occur here and there in various instrumental and vocal compositions, such as solo sonatas, duets, trios, quartets, concertos, symphonies, cantatas, and arias.
What is a musical texture?
A musical texture featuring two or more equally prominent, simultaneous melodic lines, those lines being similar in shape and sound.
What is imitative polyphony?
In contrast to the independence of the musical lines in non-imitative polyphony, imitative polyphony allows the members of a polyphonic texture to share audible features of the melodic material, as they echo portions of it among the various parts. Although imitative polyphony may appear in music from a variety of cultures, ...
What is the term for a polyphony that is similar in shape and sound?
If the individual lines are similar in their shapes and sounds, the polyphony is termed imitative;
What is a polyphonic line?
Fig 1: The composer Johannes Okeghem with his singers. Polyphony is usually divided into two main types: imitative and non-imitative.
What are the two main types of polyphony?
Polyphony is usually divided into two main types: imitative and non-imitative. Either the various melodic lines in a polyphonic passage may sound similar to one another, or they may be completely independent in their rhythm and contour.
When did the imitative texture appear in music?
Similarly, although it appears in medieval compositions from as early as the 13th century, imitative polyphonic textures were especially exploited in music from the later Renaissance and the Baroque periods, from approximately 1500-1750.
Is polyphony imitative or non-imitative?
Polyphony may be imitative or non-imitative, depending on how closely the various musical lines resemble each other. If the individual lines are similar in their shapes and sounds, the polyphony is termed imitative; but if the strands show little or no resemblance to each other, it is non-imitative. Each of these types may also mix with ...
What are the different types of polyphony?
There are a number of types of polyphony, classified according to the melodic and thematic content of the voices. In pod-golosochnaia (supporting-voice) polyphony, a principal melody is heard simultaneously with its variants, or podgoloski. This type of polyphony is characteristic of some folk-song cultures (for example, Russian folk music), from which it has been borrowed by professional composers. In imitative polyphony a single theme is developed by means of restatement or duplication in every voice. The canon and the fugue are among the forms based on this principle. In contrast-thematic polyphony, the voices simultaneously introduce independent themes, which, in many instances, belong to various musical genres. This type of polyphony synthesizes the thematic material and contrasts and combines the various lines of music.
What is the difference between polyphonic and homophonic music?
(“Counterpoint” is a term related to polyphony.) In polyphonic music, the voices are combined in accordance with the principles of harmony, which ensure a coordinated sound. Unlike polyphony, homophonic or harmonic many-voiced music is dominated by a single voice, usually the upper voice, which is called the melody. It is accompanied by other voices that sound together as chords, heightening the expressiveness of the melody. Polyphony takes shape through the joining of independent, linear melodic voices that are extensively developed in a composition.
What are the two periods of polyphony?
It is customary to distinguish two periods of polyphony: the period of strict polyphony, which culminated in the creative work of Palestrina, and the period of free polyphony, which reached its peak in the art of J. S. Bach and G. F. Handel. The traditions of free polyphony were developed by Mozart, Beethoven, and other composers of that period.
What does homophony mean?
the combination of a number of separate but harmonizing melodies, as in a fugue. Cf. homophony. — polyphonic, polyphonous, adj.
What is the term for music arranged in parts for several voices or instruments?
polyphony- music arranged in parts for several voices or instruments
What is the term for the simultaneous sound of two or more melodies?
counterpoint- a musical form involving the simultaneous sound of two or more melodies
What does "music" mean?
1. (Music, other) polyphonic style of composition or a piece of music utilizing it
What is polyphony texture?
Polyphony Polyphony (polyphonic texture) is an important texture in all historic style periods. Polyphony contains two or more active melodies. In contrast to homophony, emphasis is placed upon the interplay between lines rather than on a single melody or a stream of chord sounds. The interplay of contour, motives, continuity features, ...
What is the twentieth century polyphony?
Twentieth Century Polyphony-. Twentieth century composers also use polyphonic process, sometimes adopting baroque, renaissance, and medieval patterns and procedures. However, twentieth century polyphony differs from earlier literature in its use of dissonant intervals and new ways to relate thematic material.
Why is an excerpt polyphonic?
The excerpt is polyphonic because a melody is accompanied by another. A quarter note rhythmic strata (layer) is established in the bass that provides a steady rhythmic background to the melody. The rhythms in the top line are more varied. Counterpoint Counterpoint is the interaction of voices in polyphonic texture.
What is the role of the voice in polyphony?
In polyphony, all the voices may be equally important— or one voice may be more prominent than the others. Voices may join in couplings or conversation-like exchanges, a polyphonic feature present in most of Bach's chorales. Individual voices change roles in polyphony more frequently than in homophonic texture.
What are the factors that contribute to the development of musical form?
Composers and arrangers coordinate changes in texture with changes of key, mode, melodic pattern, continuity, rhythm, and harmonic background. Texture factors contribute to the development of musical form. These factors are used as both constants and variables.
What is an imitation counterpoint?
Imitative counterpoint occurs if one voice repeats or mimics the patterns just stated in another voice. A canonic process occurs if the anwering voice or voices repeat the lead voice exactly. A composition based upon this process is a canon. Imitation is continuous throughout a canon.
What is rhythmic stratification?
Rhythmic stratification, also called layers, results when two or more voices move at different but closely related levels of rhythmic activity . One voice may contain mostly quarter notes while another contains eighth notes. This is somewhat like different parts of a machine moving at different but related speeds. Layering is an important feature of polyphonic texture.
What Is Polyphony in Music?
Polyphony, also known as a counterpoint or contrapuntal music, is a formal musical texture that contains at least two or more lines of independent melody.
Why is polyphony considered the most complicated musical texture?
Polyphony is considered to be the most complicated musical texture because it challenges predetermined notions of harmony and melody.
What is heterophonic polyphony?
Heterophonic polyphony is achieved when a single melodic line consists of two or more variations. It’s similar to canon, or a round, except the song’s melodies are sung or played with extra variations and notes in between.
Why was polyphonic music considered the Devil's Music?
In fact, polyphonic music was considered the devil’s music by the church for a time because it uses forbidden modes and instruments that clash against secular music rules and pagan rites. Due to this, they banished polyphony from the Liturgy in 1322.
What was the center of secular music-making during the Western Schism?
Polyphony rose during Western Schism. Avignon, a city in France’s southeastern Province region, influenced sacred polyphony. At the time, Avignon was the center of secular music-making and the primary seat of the antipopes.
How many bars does the second violin play?
As you’ll hear in the original piece, the violin parts are played in three different periods. The second violin begins two bars after the first violin, and the third violin plays three bars after that.
What are the four subtypes of polyphony?
Canons, fugues, Dixieland, Heterophonic, and Iso, are four of the most common subtypes of polyphony. Let’s take a look at how each subtype differs from the other:
1. Winchester Troper, Verset: Pascha Nostrum – Unknown
The Winchester Troper provides a window of insight into music in the Winchester Cathedral in the 10th and 11th centuries.
2. Sederunt Principes, Pérotin
The art of composing organa would grow in the 12th and 13th centuries in the Notre Dame school under the influence of Léonin and Pérotin. Now, third and fourth voice parts enhance the pre-existing chant melody.
3. Sicut Cervus, G.P. Palestrina
By the time of Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina in the 16th century, the art of writing counterpoint has developed to an excellent degree.
4. Sumer is icumen in, Reading Abbey
This song dates back to the middle of the 13th century and was discovered on a manuscript at Reading Abbey, England.
7. When The Saints Go Marching In, The New Orleans Jazz Band
In the early 20th century, the “Dixieland” style of Jazz emerged out of a blend of several music styles including blues, ragtime, and band marches.
8. The Lion Sleeps Tonight, The Lion King (2019)
This fun song is in 2-part polyphony. You have the “wimoweh” bass which starts the song and later serves as the harmonic basis for the melody that contains the English lyrics.
9. Recuerdos de la Alhambra, Francisco Tárrega
Like keyboard instruments, the guitar supports music that has a polyphonic texture. This is especially true for fingerstyle and classical guitar.
