Patterns & Metaphors
Musical variations
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Variation is a basic technique in music. A piece of music is changed melodically, harmonically or contrapuntally in such a way as to bring out the different melodies or 'voices' that can be woven around each other in a piece. Variation appears in the music of most cultures and is in fact one of the few universal characteristics of music.
Metaphor:
An issue in society is explored in a variety of ways by those for whom it is significant. The presentation of the issue is changed by each of them, whether acting in support of it or against it, such that together these 'voices' elaborate all the possibilities of it at that time.
[Features] The considerable understanding of variational possibilities whether by scholars in theoretical terms or by practitioners or audiences with 'an ear for music'. The many varieties of variation that have been explored throughout the history of music.
[Contrast] This metaphor does not appear to have been extensively used except through the phrase 'variations on a theme' where theme is a term common to music bnd to conference programmes.
[Keys] Melodic variation (instrumental, figural, Baroque). Harmonic and tonal variation with the introduction of tonal goal orientation, the hierarchical arrangement of keys, the movement to the 'dominant' and back to the 'home' tonic. Ensemble variation. Performance variation by which an organist can transform a liturgical chant into a polyphonic composition - hymn or verse alternating with choir or organ alone. Baroque ornamentation and embellishment. Non-Western musical variation, especially the Indian raga or the Indonesian gamelan in both of which the multi-level variation is conceptually more complex than in Western music. In the gamelan the variations are simultaneous contributions of different members of the orchestra resulting in a highly complex static concept of variation.<
