Texture
Check out these two songs.... compare their instrumentation, and think about the Volume of the sound, and amount of Space taken up
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Webster: Musical texture refers to the number of layers, as well as the type of layers, used in a composition and how these layers are related. Texture may be monophonic, polyphonic or homophonic. Monophonic - Refers to a single melodic line.
Easy Terms: Describing how a song Sounds and Feels.
This is one concept we where we see parallels in real life. Texture is usually used in reference to the sense of touch or feel.
When using it in this context we can easily imagine/visualize texture using descriptive words
Rough
Slimey
Soft
Spungy
With these words, We can visualize running our hand over a certain material and imagine what it would feel like.
Easy Terms: Describing how a song Sounds and Feels.
This is one concept we where we see parallels in real life. Texture is usually used in reference to the sense of touch or feel.
When using it in this context we can easily imagine/visualize texture using descriptive words
Rough
Slimey
Soft
Spungy
With these words, We can visualize running our hand over a certain material and imagine what it would feel like.
So how do we describe Musical Texture?
Thin VS. Thick
Examples of THIN texture
Vocals Only
Solo Trumpet
Solo Drum
Solo Cello
Solo Piano(........Thickening..............)
Vocals and Piano
Trumpet and Piano
Vibrophone and Piano
Cello and PIano
Piano and BassExamples of THICK texture
Rock Tune
Big Band Jazz
Funky Tune
Notes about Texture :
-Very Few songs stay the SAME TEXTURE throughout the song.
- a rule of thumb is , the more instruments/timbres happening at one time, the thicker the Texture
- Think about texture as if it were a room you walk into. There could be many conversations, a couple conversations, or just one person talking.
Examples of Texture Change
Texture can be used as a MUSICAL DEVICE or a TOOL within songs.
Stay Together for the Kids - Blink 182
Don't Forget Me
The Weekend - SNL