Learn all about the motif, what they are, famous examples and how to write your own. One way in which music is written is for it to be based on a motif or combination of motifs. So what is a motif and how would a composer work with a motif? All is revealed in this music theory lesson. A motif is a short musical idea - often a melodic motif but sometimes a rhythmic motif. This music theory lesson explores how to spot when a motif is being used in a piece you might be playing, or how to construct and develop a motif in a piece you might be writing. Really useful to performers, composers and analysts alike.