What is the difference between polyphonic and homophonic?

Answer 1

Both the terms 'counterpoint' and 'polyphony' refer to music where there is more than one musical line being played simultaneously. The term 'counterpoint' comes from the use of the word 'point' to describe a melody. A second melody played alongside a 'point' would therefore be running 'counter' to it, thus, the term 'counterpoint'.

Polyphony means 'many' (poly) 'sounds' (phony). Again, it refers to music where there are a number of melodies sounding simultaneously. Therefore, the two terms can mean the same thing.

In everyday use, musicians tend to use the term 'counterpoint' for styles of composition where there is a strict working of a certain number of voices in a 17th or 18th century style. Of course, modern music can use counterpoint as well. Please note that the word 'voices' doesn't necessarily mean 'singers'. It refers to any melody. Polyphony is a more general term. Therefore, music written in strict counterpoint is polyphonic and polyphonic music will be a form of counterpoint (contrapuntal) but not all polyphonic music is 'strict' counterpoint. Good, easily accessible examples are J.S. Bach's two-part inventions (two-part counterpoint) and His Fugues from 'The Well Tempered Clavier'.

Answer 2

In simple words , monophonic means one note at a timewhile polyphonic two or more different notes at the same time.

For example:

If one person is singing a tune then this is monophonic .

If two (or more)persons singing the same melody(in Unison) this is still monophonic.

If two (or more)persons singing the same melody but in different intervals (e.g. Octaves) then this is polyphonic(very simple but polyphonic).

Now , if two (or more)persons singing different melodies that are combined together and being perceptible as one total piece of music then you have the full definition of polyphonic music.

(This composing technique was developed most in the Baroque age by composers such as J.S.Bach)

There is also the term "homophonic music"which defines the most common possibility for nowdays that a solo melody("monophonic")is being accompanied by an instrument or an ensemble of instruments(a band).