Texture Lesson 2
Polyphonic Texture -- Partner Songs

[Page 1] [Page 2] [Page 3]

Descants and Countermelodies

Like partner songs, "descants" and "countermelodies" also produce polyphonic texture. These are separate musical voices which are specifically intended to be performed together with another melody to produce harmony. They are like partner songs, but descants and countermelodies are not meant to be performed alone.

** IMPORTANT DEFINITION **
A Descant or a Countermelody is a melodic voice which is intended to be performed together with another melody to produce harmony.


Listen for the countermelodies in the example below. Click the play arrow to hear this excerpt.

Stars and Stripes Forever (excerpt)




Go on to the Practice Questions for this lesson.

Lesson 2
[Page 1] [Page 2] [Page 3]

Navigation
Options:		 Select a link from those above.
Switch to a different Texture Lesson.
Go to the Main Page.
Click your browser's Back button to return to the previous page.