Heterophony Although the term heterophony is not clearly defined, nowadays it has to do with a performance of only one melody by two or more musicians, each of which plays the melody differently (different rhythm, tempo and elaborations). In other words: simultaneous variation. This technique may have been used in Greek music and is the basis of ensemble playing in e.g. Japan (Gagaku) and Indonesia (Gamelan). Heterophony is a standard technique in the music of the post-war generation (Messiaen, Boulez). In the work of the Dutch composer Daan Manneke heterophony can be often found. Some basic examples: