Musical Motif

A musical motif, also known as a melodic motif, is a short musical phrase or pattern that is repeated throughout a piece of music (song or album). It can be a rhythmic, melodic, or harmonic pattern that serves as a building block for a larger musical composition. Motifs can be used to create a sense of unity and coherence within a piece of music, and they can also be developed and transformed over the course of a composition to create variation and interest. Motifs can be as short as a few notes or as long as a phrase, and they can be played on any instrument or sung by a voice.

For example, you could introduce a motif in the first song of an album, remind the listener of it again at the high point of the album and say goodbye in the last track.

Relevant Note(s): Composition