Compositional Devices

"What does Retrograde refer to ?"

• "A musical line that is repeated over and over."
• "A compositional technique where a melody or phrase is inverted or flipped vertically."
• "A melody that is played against itself in a staggered manner, creating echoes."
• "A compositional technique where a melody or phrase is played backwards."
• "A complex, contrapuntal compositional technique in two or more voices."

"What does Inversion mean ?"

• "A compositional technique where a melody or phrase is played backwards."
• "A compositional technique where a melody or phrase is inverted or flipped vertically."
• "A musical line that is repeated over and over."
• "A melody that is played against itself in a staggered manner, creating echoes."
• "A complex, contrapuntal compositional technique in two or more voices."

"What is Repetition ?"

• "A melody that is played against itself in a staggered manner, creating echoes."
• "A musical line that is repeated over and over."
• "A compositional technique where a melody or phrase is played backwards."
• "A complex, contrapuntal compositional technique in two or more voices."
• "A compositional technique where a melody or phrase is inverted or flipped vertically."

"What does Canon refer to ?"

• "A complex, contrapuntal compositional technique in two or more voices."
• "A melody that is played against itself in a staggered manner, creating echoes."
• "A compositional technique where a melody or phrase is inverted or flipped vertically."
• "A musical line that is repeated over and over."
• "A compositional technique where a melody or phrase is played backwards."

"What is a Fugue ?"

• "A musical line that is repeated over and over."
• "A compositional technique where a melody or phrase is inverted or flipped vertically."
• "A complex, contrapuntal compositional technique in two or more voices."
• "A melody that is played against itself in a staggered manner, creating echoes."
• "A compositional technique where a melody or phrase is played backwards."

"What does Sequence mean ?"

• "A complex, contrapuntal compositional technique in two or more voices."
• "A musical line that is repeated over and over."
• "A compositional technique where a melody or phrase is played backwards."
• "A melody that is played against itself in a staggered manner, creating echoes."
• "A restatement of a motif or longer melodic (or harmonic) passage at a higher or lower pitch in the same voice."

"What is an Ostinato ?"

• "A melody that is played against itself in a staggered manner, creating echoes."
• "A compositional technique where a melody or phrase is inverted or flipped vertically."
• "A musical line that is repeated over and over."
• "A complex, contrapuntal compositional technique in two or more voices."
• "A continually repeated musical phrase or rhythm."

"What is Imitation ?"

• "A musical line that is repeated over and over."
• "A melody that is played against itself in a staggered manner, creating echoes."
• "A compositional technique where a melody or phrase is inverted or flipped vertically."
• "A complex, contrapuntal compositional technique in two or more voices."
• "A technique where a melodic idea is presented by one voice (or instrument), and then restated immediately by another voice (or instrument)."