Polyphonic Singing

Polyphonic Singing

 

(in Russian, mnogogolosie), music based on the combination of two or more simultaneous voices; the opposite of monody.

Heterophony, homophony, and polyphony are different types of polyphonic singing. Heterophony is typical of various folk cultures; for example, in Russian folk songs, a lead voice is joined by a supporting voice (podgolosok). Homophony and polyphony are outgrowths of heterophony. Various types of polyphonic singing can be combined simultaneously.