How to Come Up With a Motif - Music Composition

The video tutorial explores the concept of musical motifs, explaining their definition and importance in composition. It addresses common challenges composers face when creating motifs and provides detailed guidance on developing effective motifs using harmony, passing, and auxiliary notes. The tutorial includes examples and advanced techniques for motif development, emphasizing the balance between conjunct and disjunct movement. It concludes with practical applications of motifs in composition and arrangement, encouraging creativity and musical expression.

What is a motif in music composition?

• A specific genre of music

• A type of musical instrument

• A short musical idea

• A long musical piece

Which of the following is NOT a way to reuse a motif?

• Repeating it

• Transposing it

• Inverting it

• Ignoring it

What is a common problem composers face with motifs?

• Motifs are too long

• Motifs don't fit the piece

• Motifs are too simple

• Motifs are too complex

What are passing notes?

• Notes that are part of the harmony

• Notes that pass between harmony notes

• Notes that are played loudly

• Notes that are played softly

What is an auxiliary note?

• A note that moves away and returns to a harmony note

• A note that repeats

• A note that is part of the chord

• A note that is played at the end

What defines the identity of a motif?

• The speed of the motif

• The length of the motif

• The balance between conjunct and disjunct movement

• The volume of the motif

How can motifs be developed further?

• By playing them faster

• By transposing and modifying them

• By playing them slower

• By ignoring them

What should be considered when writing a motif?

• The color of the notes

• The shape of the notes

• The size of the notes

• The presence of every single note

What is the role of harmony in motif creation?

• It is irrelevant

• It provides a foundation for the motif

• It makes the motif louder

• It changes the motif's speed

What is a key aspect of a successful motif?

• It must be very complex

• It should fit with the chord

• It should be very simple

• It must be very long