Compositional techniques Repetition is important in music where

Compositional techniques

Repetition is important in music, where sounds or sequences are often repeated. It is an echo of the same material.

Sequence A sequence is a melodic pattern repeated at a higher or lower pitch

Imitation is the repetition of a melody, usually in a different voice and at a different pitch. The melody may vary slightly, but keep its original character.

Variation (Theme and Variation) Material is repeated in an altered form. The changes may involve harmony, melody, counterpoint, rhythm, orchestration or any combination of these.

Call & Response Call and response is a succession of two distinct phrases usually played by different musicians, where the second phrase is heard as a direct commentary on or response to the first. It corresponds to the call-and-response pattern in human communication and is found as a basic element of musical form, such as verse-chorus form, in many traditions.

Canon A canon is a contrapuntal compositional technique that uses a melody with one or more imitations of the melody played after a given time. Repeating canons in which all voices are musically identical are called rounds – e. g "Row, Row Your Boat" and "Frère Jacques”.

Fugue A fugue is a contrapuntal compositional technique in two or more voices, built on a subject (theme) that is introduced at the beginning in imitation (repetition at different pitches) and recurs frequently in the course of the composition. The term is derived from the Latin fuga, meaning "to flee" and "to chase".

Ostinato (derived from Italian: stubborn) is a motif or phrase that persistently repeats in the same musical voice, usually at the same pitch. The best-known ostinato-based piece may be Ravel's Boléro.

Pedal point A pedal point is a sustained tone, typically in the bass, during which at least one dissonant (clashing) harmony is sounded in the other parts. It stays in the bass until the harmonies resolve.