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Songwriting
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I have a question that may seem dumber than dumb to the experts here but I really don’t know the answer. A recent song I produced has 3 sequences of notes that I play on top of what I call the verses. These occur at 0:33, 1:49, and 3:06. My question is, what is the proper term (slang or otherwise) for these note sequences? Is it the melody? A riff? A solo? I think the sax is doing a solo, is that right? Thanks
https://soundcloud.com/user-646279677BiaB 2026 Windows For me there’s no better place in the band than to have one leg in the harmony world and the other in the percussive. Thank you Paul Tutmarc and Leo Fender.
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Songwriting
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Joined: Dec 2002
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Sax is soloing. However those little melodic punchins are Motifs. "...a short succession of notes producing a single impression; a brief melodic or rhythmic formula out of which longer passages are developed". Now you need to build off of this as in "out of which longer passages are developed". This is a classic classical-music technique. Nicely done! 
BIAB – 2026, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, Motu Audio Express 6x6 - My SoundCloud.
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Songwriting
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Dan (aka Music Teacher) comes thru again. Man, you are a walking library !! I would have never guessed motif and I've never heard this term at this forum. I think I'll update my original post so I don't forget this term . . . well done my friend. Here's what a search produced. In music, a motif (also sometimes written as motive) is the smallest unit of a piece of music that contains some kind of thematic or structural identity.There's way too many ads at this website, but I found it useful nonetheless. https://hellomusictheory.com/learn/motifs/Thanks Dan.
https://soundcloud.com/user-646279677BiaB 2026 Windows For me there’s no better place in the band than to have one leg in the harmony world and the other in the percussive. Thank you Paul Tutmarc and Leo Fender.
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Songwriting
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I don't think I would give it a name. Yes I understand what a motif is.... but I don't think this fits that definition.
When I say SOUTHERN NIGHTS by Glen Campbell or BAKER STREET by Rafferty.... the music that popped into your head is the signature lick or perhaps the motif.... it's easily identifiable in the song. It's noticeable, it repeats, and it sticks in your mind.
The notes you referenced at the 3 locations.... to be honest, I only heard them in two of those places..... were not, to me anyway, something that stuck out as a repeatable, identifiable, series of notes in the song. If you hadn't mentioned it, or the specific location, it would have been just another part of the song's soundscape.
MHO
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Motif does imply repeated use as a feature and I'd agree that it isn't repeated or distinctive enough really to qualify as a motif.
How about simply phrase or short phrase.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful.
AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11
BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software.
Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts
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