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 Polyphony 

Polyphony means “many sounds.”  Whether the ensemble is a jazz trio or a hundred or more classical musicians playing in a symphony orchestra, the voices play different melodies, different rhythms and different harmonies.  These combine to create polyphony.  The art of a composer or arranger lies in how effective they become at devising good polyphony.

A key concept in polyphony is called “counterpoint”.  The word comes from the Latin “punctum contra punctum” which means, “point against point.”  Counterpoint once meant “note against note”.  But the meaning of counterpoint is far more sophisticated today.  The easiest way to think of counterpoint is to consider it a technique of contrast.  Good counterpoint allows ideas to be expressed and then introduces opposing voices that may support or oppose the idea.  Counterpoint moves music ahead and clarifies original themes within a work.  Counterpoint can take the form of melody, harmony or rhythm and it may be any possible combination of these three. 

Toch wrote that, “counterpoint is one of the most powerful shaping forces in music; we might even go so far as to say, one of the most powerful shaping forces in art altogether.”  One of the greatest joys of listening to good music is the discovery of good counterpoint and then the realization that counterpoint can evoke emotions and meaning like no other tool in music.

On to Part II - Cool is not enough