homofoninen

Homofoninen is a Finnish adjective used in musicology to describe a homophonic texture. In this sense, it refers to music in which one clearly audible melody is supported by harmonic accompaniment, rather than by independent melodic lines. It contrasts with polyfoninen (polyphony), where two or more melodies are equally prominent, and with monofoninen (monophony), where a single line carries the music without harmonic support.

In a homofoninen texture, the accompanying parts typically move with the melody, providing chords or block-chord figures rather than creating separate, intertwining voices. The result is a single dominant tune with harmonic context. This texture is common in much Western art music from the Baroque to the Romantic era and remains widespread in many forms of popular music and hymnody. Examples include hymn tunes with organ or piano accompaniment and piano arrangements where the right hand carries the melody while the left hand supplies chords.

In analytical use, homophony is described as "melody with accompaniment" or "homophonic texture." The term helps distinguish it from more intricate textures such as counterpoint. Related concepts include polyfonia (polyphony), monofonia (monophony), and heterofonia (heterophony).