Motivic variations

There are many ways one can vary a motif. Varying a motif makes it easier to generate phrases but also to create interest for the listener.

Belkin writes that there are "degrees of similarity" when it comes to varying motifs:¹ that is, how similar is the variation to the original? We can use 3 categorizations:

• "Close form" (of the motif)
• "Medium form"
• "Distant form"

And then Belkin also writes that different categorizations have different use cases:²

• Close forms can be used within the same section
• Medium forms can be used when transitioning between ideas
• Distant forms can be used for contrasting material but retaining subtle resemblance