Developing a motif

Motif = a small melodic idea

Listen to the music

Motif

How is the motif used?

Do you know who composed this

music?

Ludwig van Beethoven 1770-1827

What is the point of developing a motif?

Why do you think our

brains like to find

patterns in things
around us?
Why do you think it is
important to have some
variety?
How does developing a
musical motif satisfy
both of these needs?

How does Beethoven develop the motif?

Motif

Sequence

How does Beethoven develop the motif?

Motif
Sometime he changes the shape slightly:

And then inverts it:

(inversion)

How does Beethoven develop the motif?

Motif
Sometimes he extends it:

Here are some things that Beethoven

doesnt do but you could!
Motif

Backwards =
retrograde

Stretching the rhythm = augmentation

A summary

Inversion
Inversion

Retrograde
Retrograde

Sequence
Sequence
Developing
Developing
aa motif
motif

Change
Change some
some
of
of the
the pitches
pitches

Extend
Extend itit
Change
Change the
the
rhythm
rhythm or
or
augment
augment itit

Compose your own motif

4-6 notes long
Keep the notes quite close together,

dont leap about too much

Have an interesting rhythm
Try playing it as a sequence (repeating
it but moving it up or down in pitch each
time)

Interval = the distance between two

notes
Count the note you are starting from as

1. Then just count up or down to the

other note, i.e.

D = 1 so B = 6

We call this interval a sixth (not a 6!)

Intervals

Knowing about intervals helps

because
It can help you change the shape of a

motif to develop it
You can experiment with parallel
What is the interval
motion
between the two
notes being played
together here?

Different intervals will sound very

dissimilar -

This sounds
completely different.
What is the interval?

Contrary motion
Contrary motion is the opposite of

parallel motion

It is the original motif + an inversion

played at the same time!

Inversion
Inversion
Retrograde
Retrograde

Parallel
Parallel
motion
motion

Contrary
Contrary
motion
motion

Sequence
Sequence

Developing
Developing
aa motif
motif

Change
Change some
some
of
of the
the pitches
pitches

Extend
Extend itit

Change
Change the
the
rhythm
rhythm or
or
augment
augment itit

Your composition
Ternary form

You will develop your motif in different ways in

section A and section B

Summary of the ideas you might use.

Remember to use different ones in
Section A and Section B!

Assessment
Composing

Performing

Ternary form, with at least one

development idea used in each
section

Keep your part going in the group

Clear ternary form, with a variety

of development ideas used

Play your part with accuracy,

fitting in with others

Clear ternary form, with an

Play your part with very good
interesting motif developed
accuracy and awareness of the
effectively using a variety of ideas other parts

A stylish and imaginative piece,

which uses a range of ideas
effectively

Excellent accuracy and ensemble

skills, and a sense of style