There's this thing I hear pretty often, when a musical phrase is introduced, then immediately repeated with a different cadence. For instance, the musical hook to "Head Over Heels" by Tears for Fears:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sZzCyJVb4o
The two phrases are composed of the same tones in the same order: G, F#, E, D, E, C. But the first time through, the G and the D are both half notes, whereas the second time through they're all quarter notes.
Another instance of it can be found in the bassline to Ben Folds Five's song "Jackson Cannery" - in between the two "Whoas" (about 1:15 in this video).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRjT-RvOsqg
Is there a name for that type of construction?
What do you call this musical technique?
- JonPorobil
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What do you call this musical technique?
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Stages, an album of about dealing with loss, anxiety, and grieving a difficult year, now available on Bandcamp and all streaming platforms! https://jonporobil.bandcamp.com/album/stages
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- Somebody Get Me A Doctor
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Re: What do you call this musical technique?
Hmm, Google seems to want to call it isomelos, at least in a 12-tone setting. Information is scant. I'm not sure I would have recognized the technique if you hadn't pointed it out. Or maybe I just wouldn't have thought that it might have a name.
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- Ice Cream Man
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Re: What do you call this musical technique?
Jon, I would simply call that rhythmic variation of a repeated phrase.