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Theory Dr. Crist
The Motive
Definition - The motive is a short rhythmic and/or melodic idea that is usually presented in a characteristic
and impressive manner at the beginning of a composition. A motive's rhythms and/or intervals serve to form a
shape or contour that is memorable. The purpose of a motive is to provide "unity, relationship, coherence,
logic, comprehensibility, and fluency to a musical fabric." A motive must be repeated. While repetition
produces motivic identity and clarity, it also produces monotony. Therefore, variation or change must be
introduced. It is important that the variation of a motive take a course that is coherent and logical. While
processing a motive through variation, one should be sure that relationships form between adjacent
statements of a motive. If the characteristics of a motive are changed too drastically, "unity, relationship,
coherence, logic, comprehensibility, and fluency" will be lost to variety. While varying a motive, the
more-important features of a motive must be preserved while the less-important features may be changed.
The compositional objective should determine the important features. In the following measure, the
relationship between the two bracketed ideas is not clear. The lack of relationship between these two ideas
creates a sense of variety.
Schoenberg, Arnold. Fundamentals of Musical Composition. London: Faber and Faber Limited, 1967, p.8.
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A motive's rhythm, intervals, shape/contour, and harmonic implication may all be subject to variation. Some
techniques of motivic development and variation are included below:
The relationship between the two ideas above is made clear by the following development:
(1) Repetition - The simple, exact repetition of a motive at the original pitch level, with the original rhythm.
(2) Transposition - The simple pitch transposition of a motive.
(3) Sequence - Occurs when the transposition of a motive is carried out over a longer period of time.
