An early, and ingenious, example, is the palindromic rondeau Ma fin est mon commencement, written in the fourteenth century by Guillaume de Machaut. There are many examples of the use of retrogression, although it’s almost impossible to detect by ear – really it is more in the nature of a musical challenge for the composer, or a clever device for the players to appreciate. InversionĪnyone who has ever played scales in contrary motion has experienced inversion – one hand is essentially playing the mirror image of the other. Another example is the progression of chords in the blues. Rotation – this is through 180 degrees.Ī well-known example of the translation of a theme is in the first repeated phrase of Beethoven’s 5th Symphony.Retrogression – similar to reflection in a vertical line.Inversion – similar to reflection in a horizontal line.Translation – where the melody is moved up or down in pitch.Many of the possible modifications are highly mathematical by nature. Other Patternsīeyond strict repetition, composers often play with a theme, repeating phrases and then introducing modifications. Repetition is an almost defining feature of some of the most popular work of modern minimalist composers such as Philip Glass and Arvo Pärt. Whole melodies can be repeated by different voices, with a delay, such as when we sing rounds like Frère Jacques. It can also act as a link or bridge in music. The reappearance of a melody can send a signal to the listener.
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