motive

motive, in music, a leading phrase or figure that is reproduced and varied through the course of a composition or movement. See melody.

Indeed, motives combine to form phrase members, which in turn combine to form complete phrases. Phrases, by extension, combine to form periods. This hierarchical process can continue all the way to the piece level. Motives must be audible, so composers imbue them with a clear identity and profile unique to the piece.

How To Write A Good Melody: Motives

1. Repetition – At the original or a different pitch.
2. Sequence – Try playing your motive several more times starting at a different pitch each time but keeping the intervals the same.
3. Inversion – Start on the first note of your motive.
4. Retrograde – Play the motive backwards.

A motive is one point of fixed musical focus – occupying no more than the psychological “now,” – whereas a theme extends beyond this singularity. Motives comprise this “special fixing” or recognizability in the same ways that themes do.

1. something that causes a person to act in a certain way, do a certain thing, etc.; incentive. 2. the goal or object of a person's actions. Her motive was revenge.

motive is, literally, something that moves a person; an inducement, something that leads a person on; an incentive, something that inspires a person.

Willis, motive is “the moving course, the impulse, the desire that induces criminal action on the part of the accused.” A motive can be useful in combination with other evidence to prove that a person committed a crime, especially if the suspected perpetrator denies committing the crime.

Finding ways to increase motivation is crucial because it allows us to change behavior, develop competencies, be creative, set goals, grow interests, make plans, develop talents, and boost engagement.

There are many kinds of motives (e.g., rhythmic, pitch, contour, timbre), but the word “motive” by itself most often refers to a pitch-based motive. A motive that's primarily recognizable from its rhythmic design, for example, would be spoken of as a “rhythmic motive.”

An example of a motif in literature might be that every time two characters are in conflict, it is raining outside: the rain becomes figuratively associated with conflict in a clear way.

A Sequence is a motive that is repeated one or more times at a higher or lower pitch. To be considered a Sequence, the motive must: be played or sung in the same voice or clef. be played or sung at a different pitch - either higher or lower.

It is based on three interdependent and interacting domains: means (whether an individual is capable of performing), motives (whether an individual wants to perform) and opportunity (whether the individual has the chance to perform).