"Music is about textures as well as melody"

Ken Hill's quote, "Music has to do with textures in addition to melody", highlights the diverse nature of musical composition and appreciation. While tune often works as the central part of music that captures and keeps the listener's attention, the texture of music includes depth, richness, and complexity to the acoustic experience. This double focus underscores the value of considering both horizontal and vertical aspects in music.

Melody represents the horizontal aspect of music, characterized by a series of notes set up in a linear, singable pattern. It's what people typically hum or whistle, acting as the primary theme or tune that is most memorable. Tunes can stimulate feelings and narrate, creating an immediate connection with the listener through their rhythmic shape and lyrical progression.

Texture, on the other hand, describes the vertical aspect of music, encompassing the layers of sound and how they connect with each other. It includes the harmonic structure, the orchestration, and the interaction of different musical lines. Texture can vary from being monophonic, where a single melodic line is played, to polyphonic, where numerous independent melodies link, or homophonic, where the melody is supported by chords.

The textural elements of music contribute to its psychological and climatic quality. For instance, a thick, abundant texture with dense instrumentation can communicate a sense of grandeur or intensity, while a sporadic texture with minimal instrumentation might evoke intimacy or clearness. Textures help produce the soundscape in which the melody exists, affecting how it is perceived and felt.

Ken Hill's quote highlights that terrific music not only features memorable melodies but likewise uses texture effectively to enhance psychological expression and narrative. By appreciating both tune and texture, listeners can get a deeper understanding and enjoyment of music, acknowledging it as an intricate art form where every layer and line plays a vital function in developing the entire experience. In amount, texture and melody together form the lively tapestry that provides music its power to move and inspire.