A
musical figure or
figuration is the shortest idea in music; a short succession of
notes, often recurring. It may have melodic
pitch,
harmonic progression and
rhythm (duration). The 1964
Grove's Dictionary defines the figure as "the exact counterpart of the German 'motiv' and the French '
motif'": it produces a "single complete and distinct impression". To the self-taught
Scruton, however, "A figure is distinguished from a
motif in that a figure is background while a motif is foreground: "A figure resembles a
moulding in architecture: it is 'open at both ends', so as to be endlessly
repeatable. In hearing a
phrase as a figure, rather than a motif, we are at the same time placing it in the background, even if it is...strong and melodious."