A type of repetition in a melody

Ascending sequencea short part of a

melody that is repeated but all the notes

are higher each repetition

Descending sequencesame as above but

repeated lower

Sequence

Ascending Sequence

Descending Sequence

A melody begins as before, but this time is

extended for example: 2 bars now be-

comes 3

Melody

Extension

Repetition

A melody or rhythm can be repeated:

Exactly

Or with some changes

Theme from Beethovens Ode to Joy Symphony

These are the only bars

that have been altered.

A fragment (small part) of the melody is used

Helps extend the music

Fragmentation

Original fragment

Fragment repeated

Guitar or keyboard plays a catchy short

melody that is repeated often during a song

Riff

[Insert well known riff here e.g. Smoke on the Water by Deep Purple]

The melody or rhythm is repeated with

larger note values

Sounds similar but s l o w e r

Augmentation

Every note from the

original is doubled

in value augmented/ expanded

The melody or rhythm is repeated

with smaller note values

Sounds similar but faster

Diminution

Every note from the

original has been halved

in value

original

halved

One part in the music imitates a melody or

rhythm in another part

Usually happens within the next two bars

Imitation

original

repeated/imitated

in the bass

A note in the bass that lasts for several

bars

OR

The same note repeated for several bars

Above that note the music moves a

melody and/or a harmony

Pedal Point (Pedal, Pedal Tone)

The double bass

holds the pedal tone

The melody moves in the

violin above the pedal tone

Repeated rhythmic idea or motif, usually

underneath the music

May be played by a percussion instru-

ment or by a melody instrument

Ostinato

motif