Polyphony
Polyphony is a musical texture featuring two or more independent melodic lines sounding simultaneously, each retaining its own rhythm and contour.
Music Theory
Explore Music Theory with clear music dictionary guides to notes, scales, chords, rhythm, harmony, melody, and musical structure.
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Heterophony
Heterophony is a musical texture in which multiple performers simultaneously vary a single melodic line. It is common in folk traditions and certain non‑Western classical musics, offering a distinctive blend of individuality and unity.
Chord progression
A chord progression is a sequence of chords played in succession, forming the harmonic backbone of a piece of music. It establishes tonal center, creates tension and release, and guides melodic development.
Harmonic Minor Scale
The harmonic minor scale is a seven‑note minor scale distinguished by a raised seventh degree, creating a leading tone to the tonic. It is a foundational element in Western classical, jazz, and metal music.
Diminished interval
A diminished interval is a musical interval that is one semitone smaller than a perfect or minor interval, creating a highly dissonant sound used in various harmonic contexts.
Voice Leading
Voice leading is the practice of moving individual melodic lines or parts smoothly from one chord to the next, minimizing unnecessary leaps and maintaining harmonic clarity.
Parallel Minor (music)
In music theory, a parallel minor is the minor key that shares the same tonic (root note) as a given major key, differing only in mode. The relationship is used for contrast, modulation, and expressive colour in many styles of Western music.
Homophony
Homophony is a musical texture in which a primary melody is supported by chordal accompaniment. It contrasts with monophony, polyphony, and heterophony, and is a dominant texture in much of Western tonal music.
Blues Scale
The blues scale is a six‑note (hexatonic) scale derived from the minor pentatonic with an added flattened fifth, creating the characteristic “blue” sound used in blues, jazz, rock, and many other styles.
Suspended chord
A suspended chord replaces the third of a triad with a second or fourth, creating an open, unresolved sound. It is common in pop, rock, and jazz and often resolves back to a major or minor chord.