6.2 Motives and Motivic Transformation

• Motivic transformations involve altering the original motive in various ways.


  True
• What are the three main types of motives?

  Melodic, rhythmic, harmonic
• A rhythmic motive establishes a distinctive pattern of durations or accents
• Repetition in motivic development involves restating the motive at the same pitch level.


  True
• A harmonic motive is characterized by a chord progression or harmonic pattern

  True
• Motivic development techniques in order from shortest change to longest:

  1️⃣ Fragmentation

  2️⃣ Diminution

  3️⃣ Variation

  4️⃣ Repetition

  5️⃣ Expansion
• Why do composers use motives in their music?

  To create unity and coherence
• Motives can undergo various types of motivic transformation
• Repetition is a motivic transformation that restates the motive exactly

  True
• What is modified during motivic variation?

  Rhythm, pitch, or contour
• Fragmentation uses only a portion of the original motive
• Expansion extends the length of the original motive


  True
• Which motivic transformation shortens the duration of the motive?

  Diminution
• Order the techniques of motivic development:

  1️⃣ Repetition

  2️⃣ Variation

  3️⃣ Fragmentation

  4️⃣ Expansion

  5️⃣ Diminution
• How do motivic development techniques enhance a musical composition?

  Maintain unity and interest
• In motivic transformation, repetition involves modifying the motive's rhythm, pitch, or contour.

  False
• Fragmentation in motivic transformation involves using only a portion of the original motive
• Order the techniques of motivic transformation:

  1️⃣ Repetition

  2️⃣ Variation

  3️⃣ Fragmentation

  4️⃣ Expansion

  5️⃣ Diminution
• Motivic unity enhances coherence by ensuring consistency in the musical material
• Match the transformation with its example:

  Repetition ↔️ A melody repeated at the same pitch level

  Variation ↔️ Changing the rhythmic pattern

  Fragmentation ↔️ Developing the first few notes of a theme

  Expansion ↔️ Lengthening the motive's duration

  Diminution ↔️ Playing the motive at twice the speed
• What is a motive in music theory?

  A short musical idea
• Match the type of motivic transformation with its description:

  Repetition ↔️ Exact restatement of the original motive

  Variation ↔️ Modification of rhythm, pitch, or contour

  Fragmentation ↔️ Using only a portion of the original motive

  Expansion ↔️ Extending the length of the original motive

  Diminution ↔️ Shortening the duration of the original motive
• Motivic transformations allow composers to create familiarity and development
• A melodic motive is a short sequence of pitches that defines a melody.


  True
• What is motivic development in music theory?

  Transforming and expanding a motive
• A rhythmic motive is a distinctive pattern of durations or accents that establishes a rhythmic idea
• What are the three types of motives composers often combine to create complex musical ideas?

  Melodic, rhythmic, harmonic
• Repetition in music involves the exact restatement of the motive at the same pitch
• Variation involves changing the rhythm, pitch, or contour of the motive


  True
• What is the term for using only a portion of the original motive?

  Fragmentation
• Expansion lengthens the original motive by adding notes
• Diminution shortens the duration of the original motive


  True
• Match the motivic transformation with its description:

  Repetition ↔️ Exact restatement of the motive

  Variation ↔️ Modification of rhythm, pitch, or contour

  Fragmentation ↔️ Using only a portion of the motive

  Expansion ↔️ Extending the length of the motive
• A motive in music theory is a short, memorable musical idea
• Motivic transformations can create unity and coherence in musical compositions


  True
• What defines a melodic motive?

  Sequence of pitches
• A rhythmic motive establishes a distinctive pattern of durations or accents
• Harmonic motives are characterized by chord progressions or harmonic patterns


  True
• What are motives classified into based on their musical characteristics?

  Types
• A melodic motive is a short, memorable sequence of pitches