Textures Glossary

Harmonic Content:

This is what gives a timbre its qualities. Harmonic content describes the shape of sound waves affecting volume and tone.

Place In The Sound Spectrum:

This is a way of describing what kind of frequency range a song or part covers e.g. low end, mids, high end

Monophonic:

This is a texture where there is only one part to a song, played on one instrument. An example of this would be a solo performance on vocals or an instrument like the violin.

Homophonic

Is where parts accompany a main melody and move in the same rhythm e.g. a harmony part

Contrapuntal

A texture where multiple independent parts are played at the same time and all work together to make a greater piece e.g. a lead melody with a harmony part, chords, a bassline and a percussive rhythm all together.

Dynamic Contrast and Shading

Dynamic contrast is the difference, or contrast, between levels of volume within a piece. Shading is a term used to describe this effect

Articulation and Intonation

Intonation is the accuracy of pitch between notes on an instrument or group of instruments. Articulation is about how a note should be played and is marked on music with articulation marks like slurs and accents

Tone Colour

Another term for timbre, meaning the qualities of a tone e.g. warm, bright

Orchestration:

Where music is arranged for an orchestra to perform. Orchestration can also be used to describe the inclusion of orchestra music in a recorded piece.

Experimental Combinations:

These are unorthodox combinations of instruments which are rarely found in popular music

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