In
music,
monophony is the simplest of
textures, consisting of
melody without accompanying
harmony. This may be realized as just one
note at a time, or with the same note duplicated at the
octave (such as when men and women sing together). If an entire melody is played by two or more instruments or sung by a choir with a fixed interval between the voices or in
unison, it is also said to be in monophony. Music in which all the notes sung are in unison is called monophonic.
Musical texture is determined in song and music by varying components. Songs intersperse monophony,
heterophony,
polyphony,
homophony, or
monody elements throughout the melody to create atmosphere and style. Monophony may not have underlying rhythmic textures, and must consist of only a melodic line. The music with a melodic line and rhythmic accompaniment is called
homophony.