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Glite Dictionary
monodical

monodical

9.9
Having one tune sung or played without other parts
  • adjective
  • /məˈnɒdɪkəl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : monódico
  • Medieval chant was often monodical, without any accompaniment or harmony.

Examples

  • The composer chose a monodical setting for the hymn, focusing on a single vocal melody.

  • A monodical structure can give the music a pure and direct emotional impact.

  • This song is monodical.

  • The monodical style is beautiful!

  • Medieval chant was often monodical, without any accompaniment or harmony.

  • The composer chose a monodical setting for the hymn, focusing on a single vocal melody.

  • A monodical structure can give the music a pure and direct emotional impact.

Synonyms

monodic
vsmonodical
  • Specialized
9.9

A single melody without accompaniment or harmony, like a solo voice

is the same meaning but uses an adjectival form ending in ical
monophonic
vsmonodical
  • Specialized
8.1

Music that has one melody and no other musical lines

emphasizes the vocal single part rather than the general single line sense

Antonyms

polyphonic
  • Specialized
2 7.2

Two or more independent melodies that sound at the same time

Surface Forms

monodical positive

Morphology

monodical = monodic (semi-transparent) = monodic + al

The adjective is derived by adding the productive suffix '-al' to 'monodic', but 'monodic' (and 'monody') is a rare musical term, so the relation may not be fully obvious to average learners.

Etymology

The word monodical comes from Greek parts mono- meaning 'one' and a root meaning 'song', the same root found in melody. So monodical describes music that has only one melody, often sung by a single voice.