A motive is a brief thematic idea used to create thematic coherence in melody
and texture. A motive has pitch and rhythmic ingredients that make it memorable
and recognizable when repeated later in a composition.
Example 1: original pattern
Some of the memorable features of this motive are shown below. Its contour
is an inverted arch. Its rhythm is an upbeat to downbeat gesture. It outlines
a descending fourth. It consists of a pair of major seconds, one descending, the other
ascending.
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