Which texture describes several voices moving in rhythmic likeness with one melody and one supporting accompaniment?

• A. Polyphony
• B. Monophony
• C. Heterophony
• D. Homophony

Answer: (D)

In this texture, there is one clear melodic line that stands out, while the other voices provide a supporting accompaniment that moves with or beneath the melody. The accompaniment shapes harmony and chords, rather than creating independent melodic lines. This creates a unified fabric where several voices share the same rhythm in service of the single tune.

That’s what defines homophony: a prominent melody supported by rhythmicly aligned harmony. By contrast, polyphony features multiple melodies with independent rhythms interweaving; monophony is just a single melodic line with no accompaniment; heterophony involves variations of the same melody played or sung together with differing ornamentation or timing.