musical theme

/ˌmjuzəkəl θim/

Other forms: musical themes

Definitions of musical theme

1. noun

   (music) melodic subject of a musical composition
   synonyms: idea, melodic theme, theme

   types:

   motif, motive

   a theme that is repeated or elaborated in a piece of music

   statement

   (music) the presentation of a musical theme

   variation

   a repetition of a musical theme in which it is modified or embellished

   obbligato, obligato

   a persistent but subordinate motif

   inversion

   (counterpoint) a variation of a melody or part in which ascending intervals are replaced by descending intervals and vice versa

   augmentation

   the statement of a theme in notes of greater duration (usually twice the length of the original)

   diminution

   the statement of a theme in notes of lesser duration (usually half the length of the original)

   partita

   one of the variations contained in a partita

   type of:

   air, line, melodic line, melodic phrase, melody, strain, tune

   a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence