Classical era & motifs

In music, when was the Classical Era?

• 1450-1600

• 1600-1750

• 1750-1820

• 1820-1910

Which 2 of these composers were in the Classical Era?

• Beethoven

• Mozart

• Bach

• Stravinsky

Which instrument would you NOT find in a Classical era orchestra?

• Harpsichord

• Violin

• Trumpet

• Flute

Answer explanation

The harpsichord was very popular in the Baroque era but gradually got replaced by the piano.

What is a musical motif?

• A small musical idea

• A woodwind instrument

• The distance between two notes

• A four-bar phrase

Which is NOT a technique to develop a motif?

• Retrograde

• Inversion

• Sequence

• Cadence

A motif should not be exactly repeated too many times because...

• It lacks creativity

• It can become boring

• The music doesn't go anywhere

• All of the above

Answer explanation

Motifs should be repeated so the listener can identify them later, but developing them even subtly produces a much more satisfying effect

A sequence develops a motif by...

• changing the rhythm

• making each note longer

• repeating it but starting on a different note

• changing the direction of the melody notes

Inversion develops a motif by...

• changing the rhythm

• making each note longer

• using a different instrument

• changing the direction of the melody notes

Answer explanation

If the motif is 3 notes going up in step (e.g. C, D, E), the inversion goes down in step (C, B, A)

A motif is longer than a melodic phrase

• True

• False

Answer explanation

A melodic phrase may often contain one or two motifs which develop throughout the phase.

Why are motifs important in music?