Compositional Devices Flashcards
What is a subject?
A subject is the material (recognizable melody) upon which part or all of a composition is based. (In forms other that fugue it may also be known as the theme.
What is a motive?
A Motive is a short recurring musical phrase / succession of notes that is characteristic of a composition. “ The motive is the smallest structural unit possessing thematic identity.”
What is a sequence?
A sequence is the IMMEDIATE restatement of the motif or other melodic pattern at a higher or lower pitch IN THE SAME VOICE.
(A SIC Sequence)
Sequence Variables: How many steps in the sequence? What is the interval between the sequence? Chromatic or Diatonic? Ascending of Descending?
What is augmentation?
Augmentation is the lengthening of a note or interval. It is a musical device where a melody, theme or motif is presented in longer note values than previously used.
What is an inversion?
Upside down image of motive. The curve is inverted.
What is retrograde inversion?
Backward and upside down.
What is retrograde?
Backward image of motive. (Crap movement)
What is contrapuntal procedures?
The altering of a melody by means of techniques such as imitation, inversion and retrograde motion.
What is imitation in music?
The repetition of a musical pattern in ANOTHER VOICE.
What is a theme?
A rounded musical unit, often forming the basis of a composition.
What is swopping?
The first motive is written last and the last motive is written first.
What is repetition?
The motive is repeated exactly.
Filling of notes?
A broken chord figure filled in by non chordal notes
What is ostinato?
Continual repeated rhythmic or melodic pattern, usually in the bass part.
What is diminution?
Diminution may also be the compositional device where a melody, theme or motif is presented in shorter note-values than were previously used.
