Which polyphony gives greater importance to one or more melodic lines, such as cantus firmus in the tenor?

• A. Equal-voice polyphony
• B. Unequal-voice polyphony
• C. Monophony
• D. Homophony

Answer: (B)

Different textures in polyphony arrange voices with varying degrees of melodic independence. Unequal-voice polyphony intentionally gives more weight to one or more lines—like a cantus firmus in the tenor—so that while other voices move more freely and elaborately, that fixed line remains the guiding backbone of the piece. The cantus firmus provides structural gravity, often with longer note values, around which the other voices create harmony and motion. This stands in contrast to equal-voice polyphony, where each line carries similar importance and activity; monophony, which has just a single melody; and homophony, where one main melody dominates and the other voices function mainly as chordal accompaniment rather than independent lines.