Traditional polyphony: Multipart singing in world cultures

Abstract

Vocal polyphony has been part of the western musical culture since the 11th century. There are other cultures in the world, however, that use multipart singing in their traditional music that is not based upon the European classical style with parallel thirds and triad chords. This paper will discuss the use of vocal polyphony in several well-established traditions in the world, such as the Aka Pygmies from Central Africa, Canto a tenore from Sardinia, and iso-polyphony of Albania. It will contrast polyphonic types like parallel, drone, canonic, ostinato, and heterophonic polyphony. It will also illustrate how sound quality differs from the European classical style. An understanding of polyphonic traditions can assist us in understanding people whose cultures differ from our own.