A short, distinctive musical idea or phrase that is repeated and developed throughout a piece of music.
Here's a breakdown:
* Short: Motives are usually only a few notes long, making them easily recognizable and memorable.
* Distinctive: They have a unique character that sets them apart from other musical elements.
* Repeated: Motives are often repeated throughout the piece, sometimes in slightly altered forms.
* Developed: Composers can manipulate motives in various ways, changing their rhythm, melody, harmony, or instrumentation to create variations and build musical tension.
Think of motives like building blocks in a musical composition. They provide a foundation for the development of melodies, themes, and entire sections of music.
Here are some examples of how motives can be used:
* Theme and Variations: A motive is used as the basis for a theme that is then developed and transformed in various ways.
* Development Section: Motives are used to create musical tension and excitement in a piece.
* Counterpoint: Different motives are interwoven to create complex musical textures.
Understanding motives is key to appreciating the structure and meaning of music.