early polyphony

Early polyphony refers to a style of music that emerged in the Middle Ages, where multiple independent melodies are sung or played simultaneously. This development was significant as it moved beyond earlier monophonic music, which featured a single melody line. Early polyphony often involved simple harmonies and was typically based on sacred texts, reflecting the spiritual context of the time. Notable examples include organum, where an existing chant melody was accompanied by an added voice at a different pitch. This innovative approach laid the foundation for the more complex polyphonic structures that would evolve in later centuries.