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Section 11.3 Fragment

While the motive is usually defined as the smallest identifiable melodic idea in a composition, “compound” motives can be broken into fragments (sometimes called “germs”).
In J.S. Bach’s Invention 1 in C Major I, the opening 7-note compound motive can be divided into two overlapping four-note fragments that can each be developed independently.
Figure 11.3.1. Fragmentation of motive 1 in C Major Invention
Here again is the example of development (in augmentation) of fragment “a.”
Figure 11.3.2. Development of fragment “a” in Invention 1
In the following example Bach develops an inversion of fragment “b” leading into a cadence in G major.
Figure 11.3.3. Development of fragment “b” in Invention 1