monophony

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Word: Monophony

Definition: Monophony is a noun in music that refers to a style where there is only one vocal part or melody. This single melody can be sung alone or accompanied by instruments, but there are no other melodies sung at the same time.

Usage Instructions:

• Monophony is often used when discussing types of music and can be found in various cultures and styles.
• It is important to note that monophony is different from polyphony, where multiple melodies are sung or played at the same time.

Example:

• "The choir performed a beautiful piece of monophony, where the soloist sang the main melody while the piano provided soft accompaniment."

Advanced Usage:

• In historical contexts, monophony is often associated with early music, such as Gregorian chant, which features a single melodic line without harmonic support.

Word Variants:

• Monophonic (adjective): Describing something that has only one melody.
  • Example: "The monophonic chant echoed through the church."

Different Meanings:

• In a general sense, "mono-" means "one" or "single," and "phony" relates to sound. So, monophony literally means "one sound."

Synonyms:

• Solo
• Unison (when multiple voices sing the same melody together)

Related Terms:

• Polyphony: Music with multiple melodies played or sung simultaneously.
• Homophony: Music where there is one main melody accompanied by chords.

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

Monophony does not have common idioms or phrasal verbs directly associated with it, as it is a technical term primarily used in music contexts.

Summary:

Monophony is a musical term that describes music with a single melody. It is an important concept in understanding music structure and types.

Academic

Noun

1. music consisting of a single vocal part (usually with accompaniment)

Synonyms

• monophonic music
• monody