Q. What are some basic ways to develop a motif in composition?
A. Broadly, there are three ways: using smaller note values in your existing motif e.g. crotchets to quavers; adding ornaments/decorations e.g. trills, mordents, grace notes or just extra notes to fill an interval - this adds character and keeps the listener interested; adding more complex rhythmic patterns to the music, but having the melody accented inbetween (also termed 'voice-leading').
ES
Related Music A Level answers
All answers ▸What is a tritone and why should it be avoided when writing harmony in the style of Bach?
How did jazz influence mainstream music in Europe and America? [How to approach and introduce this question]
Evaluate Portman’s use of harmony in ‘Six Years Later’ in The Duchess with particular reference to the changing circumstances of the heroin. Relate your discussion to other relevant works. These may include set works, wider listening or other.
What keys can I modulate to when harmonizing a Bach chorale?