In this episode, I talk about the basic idea, and why it’s such a useful way to start your themes.
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Hi there, thanks for explaining the basic idea. I am a little confused about what you said about the 2 characteristic motifs though. Are you saying that one characteristic motif is used for the opening up (contrasted by conventional motif), and then another characteristic motif is used for closing down (which is also contrasted by conventional motif). Or are you saying that 2 conventional motifs are presented at opening, which is then contrasted by a conventional motif at closing? Sorry for the confusion.
Conventional material tends to be generic things, like scales, and arpeggios. Characteristic material is the stuff that makes your idea unique. It’s usually the combination of unique intervals, motion, and rhythm. Often a basic idea has two distinct motives, but this doesn’t necessarily mean that both motives are characteristic in any specific way. One motive could be really unique, and the next a straight arpeggio. Remember too, that these are general guidelines based on classical form. There is a lot of room to have different types of basic ideas.