Repetition in music
"Repetition breeds stability and comfort for the listener. It can help you establish a relationship with the listener. But it can also breed boredom, monotony, and disinterest. So as a musician you want to avoid the latter and encourage building that relationship."
How to use repetition when writing songs
- repeat...but vary
- think in terms of movement when creating motifs and phrases
- repeat ideas but vary the musical texture
- repeat motifs, but use contrast in how you play them from one time to the next
- repeat entire sections of your song within the structure
- write a melody line and bring it back later in the song
- start with one harmony, then add another
- start with one harmony then switch harmonies all together
- vary your dynamics in the song
Example of repetition in music
Below is just a very basic example of how to repeat a phrase but slightly changing it to make it more interesting.
Here we have the same idea but I just substituted a perfect 5th for a Major 3rd and a Major 3rd for a Major 2nd.
Try just writing a simple phrase. Then another starting and ending the same way but altering a few notes in between.
The listener will get the same idea but you'll have given them a little twist.