What is a Phrase?

• A phrase is a complete musical idea.
• It is different that a motif as it is usually longer, last four measures.
• Think of a motif as a few words and a phrase as a whole sentence.

Compose a Phrase with Motifs

• Take a look a "Frere Jacques" and its structure:
• You'll find that the melody is made up of four motifs that are repeated:

• Following the example of "Frere Jacques" we can make a phrase by simply:

1) writing motif 1

2) repeating motif 1

3) writing motif 2

4) repeating motif 2