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A texture where one melody predominates, supported by chordal accompaniment. The most common texture in Western music from the Classical era onward.
Homophony is the texture of most tonal music — melody with accompaniment. The melody is primary; everything else supports it. When writing homophonic texture, ensure the accompaniment enhances rather than competes with the melody. Alberti bass, arpeggiated chords, and block chords are common accompaniment patterns.
Mozart's Piano Sonata K. 545, first movement — the left hand provides Alberti bass accompaniment while the right hand sings the melody.
Homophony is one of 228 terms in the Gradus musical dictionary, where every definition is written around how composers actually use the word.
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