Augmentation (music)

In music, augmentation is understood to mean the increase in the time value of a sequence of notes in relation to a motivically related one. If a topic is augmented, the grade is extended by its own value; thus a quarter note becomes a half note or a half note becomes a whole note. However, if the value of the notes is reduced, one speaks of diminution . This technique is often used when composing a fugue .

Augmentation can also affect the interval structure of a piece; then tone jumps are enlarged in a tone sequence. Here, too, the opposite procedure is called diminution .

Augmentation is a popular means of variation . If, however, note lengths or the interval structure of the music are parameterized , one can no longer speak of an augmentation or variation / diminution due to the lack of a reference: the term is out of date and becomes superfluous. This mainly happens in serial music .