Although both partner songs, and rounds/canons produce polyphonic texture, and both consist of two or more musical voices, there is an important difference between them:
Partner songs are different melodies performed at the same time.
Rounds and canons are identical melodies starting at different times.
Here is an example of a four-part round. Notice that all four musical voices contain the same melody, but they enter at different times. Click the play arrow to hear this example.
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