Compositional devices

Repetition

Repetition is when sounds, sequences or phrases are literally repeated immediately.

Some songs that use repetition ↓

Imitation

Imitation is the repetition of a melody or idea shortly after its first appearance in a different voice, often at a different pitch.

Imitation - Music Theory AcademyImitation in music describes a composing device where a melody is played/sung and then repeated in a different voice. It is a device that is used in a

Sequence

Sequences - Music Theory Academy - melodic and harmonic sequencesWhat are Sequences in Music? A sequence is where a passage of music is repeated at a higher or lower level of pitch. The repeat can be an exact

Inversion

Inversion is when an idea is heard exactly upside-down or “mirrored” across a horizontal plane, like mountains reflected in a lake.

Creating Melodies by Inverting Musical PhrasesFlipping melody ideas upside-down can help create longer melodies that have a great sense of structure. ______________ Whether we realize it or not, the human brain is able to constantly and sponta…

Ostinato

A musical pattern that repeats itself over and over again - often whilst other things are going on over the top...

Retrograde

Phrasing

Cadences

Pedal Note / Pedal Point

Pedal Point - Music Theory AcademyPedal Point A pedal point is a sustained note during which the harmony above it changes in some way so that the overall sound becomes dissonant. As with a

Inverted Pedal Notes

Use a motif to create a composition

Alberti Bass

Contrary Motion

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