Polyphony is a type of musical texture consisting of two or more simultaneous lines of independent melody, as opposed to a musical texture with just one voice (monophony) . Each of these melodies is essentially equal in importance, and they can be thought of as melodies in their own right, one that could be sung, played, or listened to independently of the others. The combination of the different strands, all interacting together, creates polyphony. Polyphony may be likened to a dialogue, a discussion, or even an argument between two or more speakers, all talking concurrently. As a result, polyphony may be judged as the most complex of all the musical textures, since it challenges a listener to concentrate on several, equally important layers of sound.

Polyphony may dominate an entire musical work, a significant section of a piece, or it may appear for only a short time. The musical lines in a polyphonic texture may be instrumental or vocal, or both. Polyphony is a common feature of Western classical music, particularly music of the late Middle Ages and Renaissance.