Which term describes a short musical idea that recurs and helps unify a work?

• A. Ostinato
• B. Motif
• C. Cadence
• D. Crescendo

Answer: (B)

A motif is a short musical idea that recurs throughout a piece to give it unity. It’s a small fragment—often a few notes or a distinctive rhythmic gesture—that keeps returning, sometimes in altered form, across different keys or voices. This repetition creates a recognizable thread you can follow as the music unfolds, helping the work feel cohesive and connected.

An ostinato is more about a persistently repeated figure, typically staying the same, which can contribute to unity but isn’t defined by a recurring idea that ties the entire piece together. A cadence is a harmonic stopping point that ends a phrase, not a recurring idea. A crescendo is a dynamic rise in volume, which relates to texture and tension rather than a unifying melodic or rhythmic idea.