Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

organum

Noun

/ˈɔːr.ɡə.nəm/

Definition

A type of early polyphony that originated in the medieval period, characterized by the addition of one or more voices to an existing chant melody.

Examples

The church choir performed a beautiful organum during the service.
Composers of the Renaissance built on the techniques of organum to create more complex polyphony.

Meaning

Organum is a musical term referring to a style of composition where additional melodies are sung simultaneously with a plainchant, creating harmonic texture.