Motive in music

Motive, in music, a leading phrase or figure that is reproduced and varied through the course of a composition or movement. See melody.

1. What is a motive in music example?
2. What is a motive or motif in music?
3. How do you write motives in music?

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.

What is a motive or motif in music?

Another term that usually refers to a piece of melody (although it can also refer to a rhythm or a chord progression) is “motif.” A motif is a short musical idea—shorter than a phrase—that occurs often in a piece of music. A short melodic idea may also be called a motif, a motive, a cell, or a figure.

How do you write motives in music?

How To Write A Good Melody: Motives

1. Repetition – At the original or a different pitch. ...
2. Sequence – Try playing your motive several more times starting at a different pitch each time but keeping the intervals the same.
3. Inversion – Start on the first note of your motive. ...
4. Retrograde – Play the motive backwards.