Phrases, motifs, riffs and repetitive patterns

What this note covers

1. Motif, riff, phrase and pattern are different scales of idea
2. Exact repetition and varied repetition
3. Phrase shape, balance and cadence
4. Sequence, fragmentation, extension and inversion
5. A riff can organise harmony, duration and section identity
6. Worked structural analysis from small idea to whole excerpt
7. 7. Motif laboratory: sequence, fragmentation and extension
8. 8. Phrase-scale map: from cell to section

8 sections · 10 key terms & formulas · 6 common mistakes