A monophonic scale refers to a musical scale that consists of a single melodic line without any harmonic support. This means that only one note is played at a time, creating a straightforward and clear sound. Monophonic music is often found in traditional folk songs, chants, and early forms of music before the development of harmony. In a monophonic scale, the focus is on the melody, which can be played on various instruments or sung by a single voice. This type of scale is foundational in music theory and is essential for understanding more complex structures, such as those found in polyphonic or harmonic music.