Battle of Expression Vs. Structure
First, let’s clear, A motif in music is a short, recurring musical idea or theme that serves as the foundation for a piece. It is typically a small set of notes (melodic, rhythmic, or harmonic) that is developed, repeated, and transformed throughout a composition.
The 4 types of motifs:
- Harmonic motif: reoccurring chord progression in a song.
- Melodic motif: short sequence of notes that guides a theme.
- Rhythmic Motif: Distinctive pattern that repeats.
- Leitmotif: Used in films or theatre in association with a character or emotion.
Motifs are reliable in creating the most emotional impact in a piece of music as well as cohesion and recognition. Notation meanwhile facilitates variation and informs consistency and development of a piece with less emphasis on the articulation.
Articulation of motif brings the expressiveness of life to it. As opposed to let’s say a midi motif that is square and sterile, a computer motif. The finer the articulation of the motif, the more memorable it becomes. Motif is articulated with dynamic interpretation and notational expressiveness. Staccato, legato, vibrato, or accenting that feels right. The more the player possess art of technique and multitudes of it, the more decisive he can incur the decisions of articulations.
Pro Tip: Experiment with motifs and glean it to the best notes, timely expression, and stack 2-3 expressive techniques to play your motif.
In today’s music, motif and technique impositions over reductionist phrases or riffs has an upper foot, in terms of appeal to masses, to complex extended compositional structures. In jazz, hip-hop, or electronic music, articulation (dynamics, timbre, effects) often plays a bigger role than strict notation.
The point of this article is to suggest that developing techniques and technical approaches to playing licks, phrases, and riffs could give the edge needed to stand out & make your music great.
A generic rule is that in performance, expression of motif is more important. In composition, notation is more crucial. If the goal is emotional impact, expression of motif reign. If the goal is extension of ideas and elaborate world building, then notation is more useful. A well notated motif gives structure. A well-articulated motif gives vibe.
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