motivic
- adjective
- /məˈtɪvɪk/
- Specialized
- This motivic economy lends coherence to the music.
- motivic development
Examples
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The improviser should: establish motivic development through tonal and rhythmic sequences, demonstrate effective use of silence, show a sense of style, indicate an understanding of tension and release through resolution of notes and rhythmic variety, embellish notes, and perform variations of themes.
Academic text (1999) -
These learned pathways usually find their expression in jazz by improvisers who work not only with melodies but also with motivic fragments that have a clear and specific relationship to individual chords.
Academic text (1995) -
Were they able to grasp the motivic development in the second movement of Beethoven's Symphony No. 7?
Academic text (2009) -
Details such as motivic development, types of accompaniment, form, and instrumentation should be brought to the students' attention.
Academic text (1993) -
It's vital to discuss with your students the musical factors, such as harmonic rhythm, phrase structure, and motivic patterns, that help to establish the meter.
Academic text (2006) -
There are numerous minimalist pieces that illustrate the principle of motivic elaboration of short harmonic progressions.
Academic text (1998) -
Other forms and styles may present a rhythmic ostinato as a foundation for improvisation, and the improviser's main concern would usually be to create rhythmic interest and motivic development.
Academic text (1995) -
For the Beethoven article, Grove uses a series of short declarations reminiscent of Beethoven's own pithy motivic repetitions in the symphony's first movement.
Academic text (1995) -
Many composers utilize motivic themes to create a sense of unity throughout their pieces.
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The study of motivic elements is crucial for understanding the structure of classical music.
Synonyms
Relating to a main idea in art, music or writing
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Motivic comes from the same root as motive and motif, and from the Latin word movere meaning 'to move'. So, a motivic idea in music is like a small musical idea that 'moves' through a piece and comes back in different ways, giving the music a sense of unity.