Unison
Definition. All voices or instruments playing the same pitch (or same pitches in different octaves), in unified statement.
Detailed Explanation
Unison is the term for multiple voices or instruments playing exactly the same pitch — or the same pitch class across multiple octaves (octave unison). The Italian unisono (or its abbreviation unis.) is the corresponding performance direction.
Unison playing produces a particular powerful effect. With multiple performers on the same line, the resulting sound has greater body and force than a single voice — the famous unison opening of the Marseillaise, the unison string passages of Beethoven and Brahms, the unison brass calls of Wagner — all derive their power from the combined force of multiple voices on a single line.
The direction unisono (‘in unison’) cancels divisi or harmony, instructing all section members to play the same line. The opposite is divisi (split into multiple parts).
Etymology
Latin, ‘one sound’ — unus (‘one’) + sonus (‘sound’).
In Practice
Match exactly with your section. Pitch, articulation, and dynamics must be identical. Any deviation creates ‘chorusing’ — a slightly out-of-tune effect — that weakens the unison’s power.
Notable Examples
- Beethoven — Symphonies (powerful unison passages)
- Mahler — Symphony No. 6 (unison passages of dark force)
Related Terms
Opposite Of
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Unison mean in music?
All voices or instruments playing the same pitch (or same pitches in different octaves), in unified statement.
Where does the word Unison come from?
Latin, ‘one sound’ — unus (‘one’) + sonus (‘sound’).
How is Unison performed in practice?
Match exactly with your section. Pitch, articulation, and dynamics must be identical. Any deviation creates ‘chorusing’ — a slightly out-of-tune effect — that weakens the unison’s power.
What are common abbreviations for Unison?
Unison is commonly abbreviated as unis..
What musical terms are related to Unison?
Related terms include: Divisi, Tutti.
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