Describe the difference between a 'thick' and a 'thin' texture in music. Give an example of when you might hear each one.

A thick texture has many different sounds or notes happening at the same time, like a big chord. A thin texture has fewer sounds, like a single melody or just a few instruments playing. You might hear a thick texture in a loud part of a song with lots of instruments, and a thin texture in a quiet part with only one or two instruments.

Explain how a homophonic texture is different from a polyphonic texture. How are the musical lines organized in each?

In homophonic texture, the music is organized vertically with chords, and you often hear a melody on top. In polyphonic texture, you hear multiple lines of music happening at the same time, and they copy or imitate each other.

Exploring Tone, Texture, and Timbre

5th GradeMusic30 min

aligned to Mu:cr2.1.5a Demonstrate Selected And Developed Musical Ideas For Improvisations, Arrangements, Or Compositions To Express Intent, And Explain Connection To Purpose And Context. Mu:cr2.1.5.b Document Personal Rhy

Learning Objective

I can describe how tone, texture, and timbre create different sounds in music.

Lesson Flow

Watch Video

8 min

What is Texture? - Music Theory

Music Matters

Guided Notes

6 min

Key concepts students will learn:

•
Texture in music refers to how sound is organized in a piece.
•
A monophonic texture has one sound, while a polyphonic texture has multiple lines imitating each other.
•
Homophonic textures are organized vertically with chords, while polyphonic textures have lines moving horizontally.

Practice

10 min

3 questions • Multiple choice & Short answer

Exit Ticket

5 min

“Think about a song you know. Does the song have a thick or thin texture? What makes it thick or thin?”

Teacher Guide

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Answer keys for all questions
Differentiation strategies
Extension activities
Printable student handouts

Exploring Tone, Texture, and Timbre

Learning Objective

Lesson Flow

Watch Video

Guided Notes

Practice

Exit Ticket

Teacher Guide

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