What is a Motif in Music? - Music Theory
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Date: 2022-03-28
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Comments and reviews: 10
Flora
Hi, first of all, thank you for all these videos you post, you explain things very clearly!
I was wondering if you would mind helping me understand something.
I'm looking at the last phrase of the first section (in Dm) of Brahm's lieder vorschneller - Op. 95 -5, which modulates to D Major, in anticipation to the second section, which is in that key.
From what I understand, the first 3 phrases are 8 measures long, ending each with a quarter note and a silence; but I'm not sure how to analyze and delineate the structure (form?) of the last phrase (the one that modulates):
As the previous phrases and based on where the singing ends, I think it is also 8 measures long. But I'm not sure, first of all because here there is a fermata between bars 4 and 5. Secondly, the modulation to D Major -settles- already in the 7th bar, and after the singing ends (8th bar), there are 2 more measures already in D Major, before section B starts...what I don't know is if I should I consider and mark the end of the last phrase at its 8th bar, where the singing ends (and subdivide it as 4 + 4 because of the fermata), or if the extra 2 measures need to be included and say it's a 10 measure-long phrase, (subdivided 4 + 6).
I just don't know enough about these technicalities, and I wonder if the last two bars are simply an extension of the whole section, separate from the phrases containing the verses from the poem and therefore should not be considered part of the last phrase??
I hope I was able to explain myself clearly :\ and thank you for your time.
reply
Hi, first of all, thank you for all these videos you post, you explain things very clearly!
I was wondering if you would mind helping me understand something.
I'm looking at the last phrase of the first section (in Dm) of Brahm's lieder vorschneller - Op. 95 -5, which modulates to D Major, in anticipation to the second section, which is in that key.
From what I understand, the first 3 phrases are 8 measures long, ending each with a quarter note and a silence; but I'm not sure how to analyze and delineate the structure (form?) of the last phrase (the one that modulates):
As the previous phrases and based on where the singing ends, I think it is also 8 measures long. But I'm not sure, first of all because here there is a fermata between bars 4 and 5. Secondly, the modulation to D Major -settles- already in the 7th bar, and after the singing ends (8th bar), there are 2 more measures already in D Major, before section B starts...what I don't know is if I should I consider and mark the end of the last phrase at its 8th bar, where the singing ends (and subdivide it as 4 + 4 because of the fermata), or if the extra 2 measures need to be included and say it's a 10 measure-long phrase, (subdivided 4 + 6).
I just don't know enough about these technicalities, and I wonder if the last two bars are simply an extension of the whole section, separate from the phrases containing the verses from the poem and therefore should not be considered part of the last phrase??
I hope I was able to explain myself clearly :\ and thank you for your time.
reply
dom233
I wonder if a motiff is a bit like a scene or a picture; then you gotta ask how did the narration get there, where is the story going next. Like 'I am sitting here because of my pas actions' and there will be a consequence to my action of sitting here.
In the case of the Messiah, what happens after you have praised God; why would you want to do that? How will that praise develop? I now ant to listen to the entire piece to find out.
Great tutorial, just one point which we can take away and run with - a long way.
reply
I wonder if a motiff is a bit like a scene or a picture; then you gotta ask how did the narration get there, where is the story going next. Like 'I am sitting here because of my pas actions' and there will be a consequence to my action of sitting here.
In the case of the Messiah, what happens after you have praised God; why would you want to do that? How will that praise develop? I now ant to listen to the entire piece to find out.
Great tutorial, just one point which we can take away and run with - a long way.
reply
Philip
Is a motif the same as a melodic cell?
I'm interested in practicing using micro melodies (groups of 2-4 notes) instead of scales, as I find ascending and descending an entire octave as being non-musical.
I've also seen the term melodic fragments so would like to know if these (motif, melodic cell, melodic fragment) are all the same thing.
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Is a motif the same as a melodic cell?
I'm interested in practicing using micro melodies (groups of 2-4 notes) instead of scales, as I find ascending and descending an entire octave as being non-musical.
I've also seen the term melodic fragments so would like to know if these (motif, melodic cell, melodic fragment) are all the same thing.
reply
Ed
Funny how Bach's fugue #2 -5:48 Sounds like Jurassic park ! ha ha ha. I'm so enjoying you and the generous teaching. I'll diving into you classes soon. Thanks again! Besides owning many 'Motifs,' I now know how to pronounce 'Baroque' We say -Ber-roke
You say 'Ber-rock' Cheers !
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Funny how Bach's fugue #2 -5:48 Sounds like Jurassic park ! ha ha ha. I'm so enjoying you and the generous teaching. I'll diving into you classes soon. Thanks again! Besides owning many 'Motifs,' I now know how to pronounce 'Baroque' We say -Ber-roke
You say 'Ber-rock' Cheers !
reply
Spin
What an incredible -ear- opener. Thank you. My musical world has changed. My favourite tunes and themes will never sound the same again. I know how to listen to them now :)
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What an incredible -ear- opener. Thank you. My musical world has changed. My favourite tunes and themes will never sound the same again. I know how to listen to them now :)
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gula-gula
5:53 Based on my understanding of motif, would it be correct to assume that jurrassic park theme follows this motif but on a different tempo and different notes
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5:53 Based on my understanding of motif, would it be correct to assume that jurrassic park theme follows this motif but on a different tempo and different notes
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Hudoyo
I have question though, why motifs always go to higher notes? rarely we knew a song that's start from high notes and going lower and lower notes?
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I have question though, why motifs always go to higher notes? rarely we knew a song that's start from high notes and going lower and lower notes?
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Water
HELLO! I wanted to know what is the more -modern- term for motif with various pop and rock songs in the scene. What is a motif in that genre?
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HELLO! I wanted to know what is the more -modern- term for motif with various pop and rock songs in the scene. What is a motif in that genre?
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John
Yes, this has been very helpful. A short and to the point explanation of the concept. Thank you very much for posting this video. Cheers mate.
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Yes, this has been very helpful. A short and to the point explanation of the concept. Thank you very much for posting this video. Cheers mate.
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Floo
Tomorrow i'll have theory music exam at my college and your explanation help me a lot, hope i'll get a good score tomorrow, thanks!!
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Tomorrow i'll have theory music exam at my college and your explanation help me a lot, hope i'll get a good score tomorrow, thanks!!
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