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 ▸Describe the expressive devices used in Dido's lament 'When I am laid in earth' that portray a character facing death.
Highlight and explain the interest of an harmonic feature from the 2nd mvt. of Schubert's Piano Trio in Bb.
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.
Describe some identifying features of the baroque period, use examples from Corelli's Trio Sonata in D, Op. 3 No. 2: Movement IV to justify your answer