Monophonic: meaning, definitions and examples
🎶
monophonic
[ məˈnɑːfəˌnɪk ]
music genre
Monophonic refers to a musical texture that involves a single melodic line without any harmonic support or accompaniment. This means that only one voice or instrument is playing the melody at any given time. Many traditional forms of music, such as Gregorian chant, are monophonic. This style contrasts with polyphonic music, which features multiple independent melodies occurring simultaneously.
Synonyms
monodic, single-voiced
Examples of usage
- The choir sang in a monophonic style.
- Monophonic melodies are common in folk music.
- Monophonic textures can sometimes create a soothing effect.
Translations
Translations of the word "monophonic" in other languages:
🇵🇹 monofónico
🇮🇳 एकध्वनिक
🇩🇪 monophon
🇮🇩 monofonik
🇺🇦 монофонний
🇵🇱 monofoniczny
🇯🇵 モノフォニック
🇫🇷 monophonique
🇪🇸 monofónico
🇹🇷 monofonik
🇰🇷 모노포닉
🇸🇦 أحادي الصوت
🇨🇿 monofonní
🇸🇰 monofónny
🇨🇳 单音的
🇸🇮 monofoničen
🇮🇸 monófónískur
🇰🇿 монодикалық
🇬🇪 მონოფონური
🇦🇿 monofonik
🇲🇽 monofónico
Etymology
The term 'monophonic' is derived from the Greek words 'mono' meaning 'one' and 'phonic' meaning 'voice' or 'sound'. Its use in musical contexts can be traced back to the early musical traditions of Western culture, particularly during the Medieval period when monophonic textures were predominant. Gregorian chant, a form of plainchant, serves as a significant example of monophonic music from this era. The concept has also been crucial in the development of various musical genres across different cultures, emphasizing the single melodic line in compositions. With the emergence of polyphony in the Renaissance, the distinction between monophonic and polyphonic became more pronounced, shaping the evolution of Western music theory.