monofoninen

Monofoninen is the term used in several languages, including Finnish and Norwegian, to describe something that has a single melodic line or a single audio channel. In music theory, monophony refers to a texture consisting of one unaccompanied line. It contrasts with polyphony, where two or more independent lines occur simultaneously, and with homophony, where a primary melody is supported by accompanying harmony or chords.

Historically, monophony is the dominant texture in much Western medieval music, especially plainchant and Gregorian chant. Performers may sing or play in unison, producing a single melodic line, even if multiple voices or instruments are involved in the performance. Some performances incorporate drone or octave doubling, which can blur the line between monophony and heterophony, but the defining feature remains the absence of independent counterpoint.

In modern audio technology the term also denotes a single-channel sound, or mono, as opposed to stereo with two or more channels. A monophonic recording reproduces the same signal through all output channels. Mono remains common in talk radio, telephony, some older music releases, and certain applications where channel count or phase coherence is important. In music production, mono tracks can be used intentionally for a focused, centralized sound and for compatibility across various playback systems.

Related concepts include polyphony, homophony, and stereo. Monophony and mono recordings continue to be relevant in historical study, performance practice, and audio engineering.