It frequently implies even rhythmic independence. Homophony , in contrast, implies no such independence. In homophonic music, multiple parts generally move in the same rhythm. This could also be called chordal music. There is often some confusion between the terms monophony and monody .
Monody is a term with a definite historical origin.
In the development of the more soloistic style which was one of the driving forces in the origin of the Baroque , and with it modern tonality , emphasis was shifted to a single upper line for melodic interest as accompanied by instrumental parts to fill a harmonic texture. In a prototypical example, the latter could be chords on a lute. Monody was the name given to this style. There is some lingering overlap between the terms homophony and monody . The term monody emphasizes the distinct or soloistic role of the main melody, while the term homophony emphasizes the concord and alignment between voices in the texture.