Playing with more than one motive

In the previous section we discussed the many ways of varying a motive. Interestingly, another way of variation appears automatically as soon as we play more than one motive (not simultaneously). A phrase comprised of two or several motives is simply sufficiently capturing the ears of the listeners, at least if done properly. Of course, further variations may be implemented upon the poly-motive-phrase . One way to go is to alter the number of bars or beats each motive is presented. One motive or more might also be played twice, and they may also be played in different orders. There is one thing to note: classical composers often used two-motive phrases as a kind of question and answer sections, i.e. there was a kind of complementing spirit between the two motives. For example, when one motive was played on top of a I maj chord, the other was played on V dominant chord; another way to go was to answer an ascending motive with a descending one, or to counter a rhythmically busy motive with a long-note motive. Ideas are endless, and can be combined together for great effects. As far as the two-motive phrases go, the unity of the phrase itself is often not harmed. Things get more complex when more motives are involved. Listening to a fugue, we are hit by many motives not only succeeding each other but also intertwined with another. First-listeners often complain about the chaotic  structure of the composition, which turns their ears away from a great composition. Gradually, they begin to discern the inner workings of a fugue, namely the development of one simple motive into more complex ones. This is what holds the fugue together, and this is one way to write a multi-motive piece of music. Conclusively, the important principle to remember when writing such a composition is to hold together the unity of music by developing motives from the original one; they all should feel related to each other. Now you should see the intricate relation of motives and their variations as the spice that adds interest to music without breaking its unity. This is important to think about when writing music, improvising, jamming etc. Play with the ideas and hear how nice it sounds.

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