Questions tagged [motif]
For question about musical figures and ideas whether it be constructing or analyzing.
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What are the most elementary techniques one can implement in a motif?
What are the most elementary techniques one can implement in a motif? Techniques for creating contrast, tension, ambiguity or some other "quirk" to make a motif more unique.
By a "motif&...
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Changing the harmony of a motive ''by additions at the end,'' according to Schoenberg
Schoenberg says that the harmony of a motive may be changed ''[b]y additions at the end'' (Fundamentals of musical composition, page 10). He cites examples 25c-i to illustrate what he means (see ...
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Has anyone attempted to study the history and evolution of specific jazz "licks"?
Has anyone attempted to study the history and evolution of specific jazz "licks" ? For example, Louis Armstrong played this phrase or snippet or riff. Here is how it evolved...here is how ...
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Is there a compositional term for an introductory variation on a larger theme?
I’ve noticed that in some music spaces, specifically entertainment and gaming, composers rely heavily on character or main themes as recurring motifs. One such instance I’ve heard recently involves ...
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Is there a word for the motif of linearly-tumbling & surging little bundles of notes? (E.g., "FEDC-FEDC-BCDEF")
For example, Cerulean's Flight (from the start and throughout):
I've found this to be one of the most common attributes of my favourite music. In my notes I've had to ...
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Are ostinatos and motifs essentially the same thing?
I understand that there is a difference between the two, but I'm still confused. Are the terms "ostinato" and "motif" interchangeable?
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Did Stravinsky ever work backwards?
I've always been intrigued by this little passage in Stravinsky's "Fireworks" (op. 4). It seems to me to be many things all at once, each masterfully handled. It's a nifty little canon, a ...
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How do you quote foreign motives in a composition?
This seems like it should be straightforward, but I don't know how to do it, so it's not for me at least.
At the timestamp I provide in this song, the Animaniacs' Presidents Song, there is a quote ...
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Whats the difference between a leitmotif and an idée fixe?
And all leitmotifs are motifs, but not all motifs are necessarily leitmotifs, correct?
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Is there a name for this common bass line?
I've heard this bass line in a number of songs, including Billy Joel's "Piano Man", "One Day More" from Les Miserables, and "Rambling Through the Avenues of Time" by ...
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What's the time signature for "Son of Flynn" and "Recognizer" in the TRON: Legacy Soundtrack by Daft Punk? [closed]
What's the time signature for "Son of Flynn" and "Recognizer" in the TRON: Legacy Soundtrack by Daft Punk?
It seems to me that "Son of Flynn" is clearly in a mixed meter: ...
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Is there a list of motifs and labels of this motifs?
I'm trying to make a list of the short motifs e.g. in Baroque, which are the elements in the music by Bach, Vivaldi, Händel et all.
I have found some lists of figures, ornaments, decorations in the ...
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Are two tracks technically related?
I was choosing a theme for my alarm and found Springtide, reminded me of Road to Perdition the movie. Particularly the Road to Chicago track, after I had checked the soundtrack in YouTube.
So maybe ...
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Do Most short motifs and phrases end on the root
This may be objective, but I'd like others input.
Do most short phrases and motifs especially in blues and rock, end on the root.
I think I've noticed that in most phrases, that the ending note is ...
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Motifs in melody writing
I read in many books/teachings etc. that the first step for creating a melody is to come up with a motif, and use that for further development. Are all melodies created like that? I hear melodies that ...
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