What characterizes monophony?

• A. Two or more independent melodic lines.
• B. A single melodic line with harmonic accompaniment.
• C. A single melodic line without harmony.
• D. A repeating rhythmic motif.

Answer: (C)

Monophony is when there is a single melodic line heard, with no accompanying harmony or independent secondary melodies. Even if several performers sing or play that same tune together, as long as they’re in unison (or at most in octaves) there’s still one underlying line. That’s why a single melodic line without harmony best fits monophony.

If there were two or more independent melodies sounding at once, that would be polyphony. If there’s one main melody plus chords or accompaniment, that’s harmony-based and called homophony. A repeating rhythmic motif describes rhythm more than texture. So the essence of monophony is one tune, no harmony.