What does texture refer to in music?

Texture in music refers to the quantity and interaction of sound layers within a composition. It encompasses how many musical lines or voices are present and how they work together. For example, a piece may feature a single melody (monophonic texture), a melody with accompaniment (homophonic texture), or multiple independent melodies occurring simultaneously (polyphonic texture). Understanding texture helps listeners appreciate the complexity of a piece as it indicates how different musical threads weave together to create a fuller sound.

The other options each focus on different aspects of music. The arrangement of pitches in a melody relates more to melody and harmony, rhythm patterns concern the timing aspect of music, and emotional feelings conveyed relate to the expressive qualities of a piece rather than its structural components. These elements are all important in their own right but do not define texture specifically.