Monofonise

Monofonise is a term used in music theory and composition to describe the process of reducing a polyphonic texture to a monophonic one. This involves simplifying a piece of music that has multiple simultaneous melodic lines into a single melodic line. The goal of monofonisation is often to create a more accessible or understandable version of a complex piece, or to explore the inherent melodic content of a composition.

The process of monofonising can be approached in various ways. One common method is to select the most prominent or dominant melodic line from the original polyphony and eliminate the others. This can be done by listening to the piece and identifying the line that carries the main melodic theme, or by analyzing the musical notation to determine which line is most prominent.

Another approach is to combine the melodic lines into a single line, often by averaging the pitches or by choosing the highest or lowest note at each moment in time. This can result in a new melodic line that is a synthesis of the original lines, but may not be as easily recognizable as the original melodies.

Monofonisation can be useful in a variety of contexts. For example, it can be used to create simplified arrangements of complex pieces for educational purposes, or to create new compositions that are based on the melodic content of existing works. It can also be used to explore the relationship between different melodic lines in a polyphonic texture, and to gain a deeper understanding of the structure and function of the original composition.

In summary, monofonise is the process of reducing a polyphonic texture to a monophonic one, often by selecting the most prominent melodic line or combining the lines into a single line. This can be useful for creating simplified arrangements, exploring the melodic content of a composition, and gaining a deeper understanding of its structure.