Question 1: Listen carefully to a piece where a solo instrument is accompanied by a simple chordal background. Describe the texture and explain whether it is monophonic, homophonic, or polyphonic.

Answer: The texture is homophonic because there is a main melodic line supported by accompanying chords.

Question 2: Imagine a piece where two or more melodies are played at the same time, each with equal importance. What type of texture is this? Provide a brief explanation.

Answer: This is polyphonic texture, as multiple independent melodies are occurring simultaneously.

Question 3: Describe the difference in texture between a solo singer performing with a simple accompaniment and a choir singing in harmony.

Answer: A solo with accompaniment is homophonic, focusing on a main melody with supporting harmony, whereas a choir singing in harmony showcases a multi-voiced polyphonic texture with multiple independent melodic lines.

Question 4: Listen to a piece where a single melodic line is unaccompanied. What is the texture called? Explain your answer.

Answer: The texture is monophonic because it involves a single melodic line with no harmonic support or additional melodies.

Question 5: Draw a diagram to represent a texture where a main melody is accompanied by a drone note that stays constant throughout the piece. Label the different parts clearly.

Answer: A correct diagram would show a horizontal line representing the drone note, with a separate line for the main melody above or below it, indicating harmonic support with a constant bass note.

Question 6: Listen to a passage where multiple melodies are overlapping but they do not follow the same rhythm or tempo. What type of texture is this, and how does it differ from a simple homophonic texture?

Answer: This is polyphonic texture, characterized by independent melodies occurring simultaneously, unlike homophony where a single main melody is supported by accompaniment.

Question 7: Identify the texture when a piece features a repeated rhythmic pattern in the accompaniment supporting a flowing melody. What is this texture called?

Answer: This is homophonic texture, where the accompaniment provides harmonic support to the main melodic line.

Question 8: Sketch a simple diagram showing a texture with three independent melodies occurring at the same time. Label each melody as 'Melody 1', 'Melody 2', and 'Melody 3'.

Answer: The sketch should display three separate lines, each representing a different melody, with no overlapping or unifying harmonic structure, indicating polyphony.

Question 9: Explain how the texture of a Gregorian chant differs from that of a jazz ensemble playing improvisations.

Answer: Gregorian chant typically has monophonic texture, with a single melodic line sung in unison, whereas jazz ensembles often feature polyphonic or homophonic textures with multiple instruments and improvisation.

Question 10: Listen to a piece where a bass line repeats while the upper parts move freely. What is this type of texture called? Describe its characteristics.

Answer: This is a homophonic texture with an ostinato bass line supporting more freely moving melodic parts above it.

Question 11: Describe how the texture changes in a piece when a second melody is added to an existing monophonic line. What new texture is created?

Answer: Adding a second melody creates a polyphonic texture, as now there are multiple independent melodic lines occurring simultaneously.