The term monophonic in music refers to the single melody or single layer of the music. The structure of the such composition is simple, and usually, they only use one instrument. However, the use of additional instruments in monophonic songs can add more complexity to the piece. This essay will use the example of Kalenda Maya performed by Dante Troubadours to illustrate how instruments can enhance monophonic music.
Firstly, while the monophonic songs generally emphasize the vocal performance, the addition of Kalenda Maya draws attention to the music. Furthermore, the addition of rhythm instruments changes the listener’s perception of the song. Instead of focusing on the vocal performance, the music encourages the listener to dance. Although the addition of rhythm instruments does not make significant changes to the music or add layers to the initial music, it emphasizes the tempo (Martin Best, 2015). Examining the song’s texture also defines that the melody stays the same despite using three major components: guitar, vocal performance, and rhythm instruments. Thus, while the song may seem more like a vocal song to some people, to me, it is more similar to dance music.
Therefore, analyzing the use of instruments in Kalenda Maya performed by The Dante Troubadours illustrates how additional instruments can change the monophonic song without necessarily adding more accompanying melodies. The focus of the performance was shifted from vocals to the rhythm of the song, which emphasizes the musical piece’s positive and courageous emotional tone. For me, the song seems more like a dance song than a vocal song because the voice primarily sets the tone for the music. On the other hand, the strong rhythm makes me unconsciously stomp my feet and want to dance.
Reference
Martin Best. (2015). Kalenda Maya. Web.