Elements of Music: Motifs

Elements of Music

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In this Unit we’ll talk about the Elements of Music. I’ll give my definition of each and an example. Then I’ll give you some ideas to use as exercises to develop your sense of each of these. In the examples I’m going to use a piece that I wrote as a study or guide. While, not necessarily cohesive, it should serve to help you understand each concept.

Motifs

A motive is basically the smallest element of a song, after the single note itself, that there is. It is the idea that sparks a song. It is normally a collection of 3 or 4 notes. The most famous of motives is probably from Beethoven’s 5th symphony.

I’m sure you’ve heard it...du du du DUUUU.

A song can be built upon one single motif or several motives. But for illustrative purposes let’s use this one below as our primary motif.

motifs

Motives can be transposed throughout a song during key changes.

motifs

Notice that the contour of the melody is the same even as the key is transpose up a major third. The motive is the same but in a different key.

motifs

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