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 (p.4 par.4) that there are “degrees of similarity” when it comes to varying motifs: 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 (p.6, par.3-5) that different categorizations have different use cases:
- 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