I have heard of polyphonic textures, are polyphonic textures the same as polyphonic sections?
Polyphonic sections are parts of a homophonic texture that vary and are polyphonic.
Here is a site on polyphonic texture.
http://www.uwosh.edu/faculty_staff/liske/musicalelements/texture/poly.html
Polyphonic textures and polyphonic sections are related concepts, but they are not exactly the same.
Polyphonic texture refers to a musical texture where multiple voices or melodic lines are played simultaneously, creating independent and interweaving melodies. In polyphonic texture, each voice has its own melodic and rhythmic independence, and all the voices contribute to the overall musical sound. Examples of polyphonic textures include fugues, canons, and contrapuntal compositions.
On the other hand, polyphonic sections are specific parts within a larger piece of music that exhibit polyphonic texture. In a homophonic texture, where there is a clear melodic line accompanied by harmonies, a polyphonic section refers to a portion of the music where multiple melodic lines appear and intertwine. These sections break away from the main homophonic texture and provide a more complex and rich musical experience.
To understand and identify polyphonic textures or sections in music, it is helpful to listen attentively to the different voices or melodic lines within the piece. Pay attention to how these voices interact with each other, whether they have independent melodies or if they harmonize with one another. Analyzing the sheet music or score can also provide insight into the presence of multiple melodic lines.
If you want to learn more about polyphonic texture and how to identify it in music, you can refer to the website you mentioned (http://www.uwosh.edu/faculty_staff/liske/musicalelements/texture/poly.html). It provides detailed explanations and examples of polyphonic texture, which can further enhance your understanding of this musical concept.