Imitation

Name the compositional device in this extract

• imitation

• pedal point

• ostinato

• sequence

What compositional device is used in the first two bars?

• Repetition

• Ostinato

• Imitation

• Sequence

Polyphony is when there are 2 or more independent melodies interweaving at once. Which compositional device can create polyphony in a piece of music?

• Ostinato

• Pedal Point

• Sequence

• Imitation

True or False?

Imitation can only happen in the same instrument/voice/part.

• True

• False

True or False?

Imitation involves more than one voice/instrument/part.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

If a motif is repeated immediately in the same part, it is repetition. If it is in the same part, but starts on different note and maintains the same shape, it is sequence. It can only be an imitation if it repeats immediately after the first motif in a different part.

Which of the following is NOT an imitation? (Remember to enlarge the images)

• 
• 
• 
• 

True or False

Imitation and sequence cannot happen at the same time.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Here is an example (piano music) where imitation and sequence happen at the same time. The sequence from the Right Hand is imitated in the Left Hand.