Motivic Transformation (rhythm alone) | Theory Things William Wieland |
I provided only one example of augmentation, diminution, extension and truncation. Many are possible. |
Original Motive: | ![]() ![]() | (a musical word) |
Augmentation: | ![]() ![]() ![]() | (multiplication—in this case, twice as long) |
Diminution: | ![]() | (division—in this case, half as long) |
Retrograde: | ![]() ![]() | (backwards) |
Extension: | ![]() ![]() ![]() | (addition—Think hair extension. You have the original and you simply add a little more.) |
Fragmentation: (or Truncation) | ![]() ![]() | (subtraction) |
P.D.Q. Bach (Peter Schickele) - "New horizons in music appreciation" (Beethoven) (YouTube) 1:55 — Motif = Motive ( short–short–short—long ) 2:21 — The motive is extended. ( short–short–short—long—long—long ) 3:50 — The motive is truncated or fragmented (broken up into little pieces). |