Motif

What it means

A motif is the smallest meaningful unit in music. It usually consists of two to four notes that are recognisable through their rhythm, their pitch contour or both. A motif can be recognised even when it is altered, transposed or placed in other voices.

Musical use

Motifs are the building blocks of themes and phrases. Composers alter them through repetition, sequence, inversion or shortening; this is called motivic work. A well-known example is the opening motif of Ludwig van Beethoven's Fifth Symphony (three short notes and one long), from which the whole first movement is developed.

The motif should be distinguished from the theme, which consists of several motifs and forms a complete musical statement, and from the figure, a common turn of phrase with no significance as a theme. The leitmotif is a motif assigned to a person or idea.

Performance practice

When you learn a piece, look for the motifs and follow where they return. Play them with the same character each time, or with a deliberate difference if the composer alters them. This gives the interpretation coherence.