Topmusicanswers
Musical development uses a distinct musical figure that is subsequently altered, repeated, or sequenced throughout a piece or section of a piece of music, guaranteeing its unity. Such motivic development has its roots in the keyboard sonatas of Domenico Scarlatti and the sonata form of Haydn and Mozart's age.
What is a motive in music example?
A very famous example of a rhythmic motif comes from Beethoven's 5th Symphony. The motif of three short notes followed by a long note has become known as the “Fate Motif”. Listen to how many different ways Beethoven uses this simple idea of three short notes and one long in the first movement of his symphony.
How do you develop motifs?
The way to develop a motive is to expand upon, change, reverse, or otherwise play with the elements of rhythm, interval and harmony. Note: Be careful in your development that you don't stray so far from the original motive that it's no longer recognizable.
