Homophony: melody with chords
Homophony is a musical texture in which one main melody is supported by chords or an accompaniment. The voices move together in the same rhythm, or the accompaniment stays in the background. Most hymns and songs are homophonic.
Homophony (say huh-MOFF-uh-nee) comes from the Greek homos, the same, and phone, sound. In a homophonic texture the parts move together. One part, usually the highest, carries the tune, and the others fill in the harmony underneath. It is the texture you hear most often in everyday music.
What does homophony sound like?
Think of a congregation singing a hymn. The people sing the melody while the organ plays chords. Or picture a singer with a guitar, strumming chords under the voice. Everyone moves forward at the same time, and the listener's ear goes to the top line. The chords support the tune and give it color, but they do not compete with it.
What are the types of homophony?
- Chordal (homorhythmic) homophony: All the voices sing the same rhythm, as in a hymn or a chorale. Each chord moves with the melody.
- Melody with accompaniment: One voice or instrument has the tune, and the others play a different pattern behind it, such as broken chords on the piano. The rhythm is not the same, but the melody still leads.
How is homophony different from polyphony?
In polyphony every voice has its own melody. You could follow any of them, and none is just an accompaniment. In homophony one melody leads and the other parts support it. If you could remove the lower parts and still have a complete tune, the texture is homophonic. If every part is interesting by itself, it is polyphonic.
| Feature | Homophony | Polyphony |
|---|---|---|
| Main melody | One, usually on top | Several equal ones |
| Other parts | Chords or accompaniment | Independent lines |
| Rhythm | Often the same in all parts | Usually different in each part |
| Typical example | A hymn | A fugue |
Where do you hear homophony?
Almost everywhere. Hymns, folk songs, pop songs, national anthems, and the themes of many Classical symphonies are homophonic. In the music of Haydn and Mozart, a clear melody over simple chords was the standard texture. Today, a singer-songwriter with a piano or guitar is a modern example. Many pieces mix textures, so a piece that begins in homophony may turn polyphonic in the middle.
How do you play or sing homophony?
Balance is the main task. The melody should be heard above the other parts. A pianist can do this by playing the top notes of the right hand a little louder than the chords. In a choir, the lower voices sing slightly softer than the sopranos. Keep the rhythm together so that the chords arrive at the same moment. Listen for a matching vowel sound and a matching release at the end of a phrase.
Practice tip: Sing or play only the top line. Then add the chords softly. If the melody is still clear, the balance is right.
Why does homophony matter?
It makes the harmony easy to hear, because chords sound together. It is also the basis of chord progressions, which is how most popular songs work. When you learn to harmonize a melody, you are learning homophony.
Check yourself
1. What does homophony mean?
Answer: One melody supported by chords. The parts move together and the top line leads.
2. Which is a typical example of homophony?
Answer: A hymn. Voices sing the same rhythm with chords.
3. What is the difference between homophony and polyphony?
Answer: Polyphony has independent melodies. In homophony one melody leads.
4. Which part usually carries the tune in homophony?
Answer: The top voice. Often the highest line is the melody.