intervallumot

Intervallumot is a term used in music theory and rhythmic analysis to describe a class of motif patterns defined by recurring intervallic motion. The concept emphasizes the sequence of pitch steps (intervals) between successive notes rather than the absolute pitches, focusing on the interval series as the primary structural element. The term is a neologism formed from intervall- (interval) plus -mot as a suffix used in some languages for “motive” or “motif,” and is not widely standardized.

In practice, an intervallumot may be a motif where the interval between successive notes alternates between two values, such as a sequence of ascending major second followed by minor second, creating a symmetric pattern over a scale. It can be diatonic (staying within a key) or chromatic (using semitone steps). Analysts use intervallumot as a descriptive tool to study how intervallic motion drives phrase structure and tension.

History: The term emerged in the late 20th or early 21st century in informal music theory discussions and some pedagogical materials as a convenient label for interval-centric motifs. It has not achieved formal status in standard theory literature, and its usage varies among scholars.

Applications: Educational contexts to illustrate intervallic thinking; algorithmic composition and analysis; cross-disciplinary work in time-series where interval sequences model patterns.

See also: interval, motif, rhythm, melody, music theory.