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').

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Answered by Emily S. Music tutor

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