- Truncation is a musical device in which a musical idea or phrase is curtailed, or shortened, resulting in a condensed version of the original material. Here are some specific strategies used in truncation:
1. Head Truncation: In head truncation, the composer omits the beginning of a musical phrase, starting the motif at a later point. This technique creates a sense of abruptness or anticipation.
2. Tail Truncation: In tail truncation, the composer cuts off the end of a musical phrase, leaving the listener with a sense of incompleteness or abruptness.
3. Internal Truncation: In internal truncation, the composer removes a section from the middle of a musical phrase, creating a gap or omission that can generate a feeling of surprise or irregularity.
4. Cyclic Truncation: Cyclic truncation involves repeating a musical motif multiple times, but each repetition is shorter than the previous one, resulting in a diminishing or contracting sequence.
5. Progressive Truncation: Progressive truncation involves presenting a musical motif in its complete form initially and then gradually truncating it with each subsequent repetition, creating a sense of fragmentation.
6. Truncated Development: In truncated development, the composer takes a musical motif and develops it in a shortened version, exploring variations or fragments of the original idea instead of presenting a complete development section.
7. Truncation Through Instrumentation: Truncation can also be achieved by changing the instrumentation of a motif, omitting certain instruments or sections while retaining others, resulting in a different textural interpretation of the original idea.
By carefully employing truncation techniques, composers can create a variety of musical effects such as surprise, suspense, anticipation, and even a sense of fragmentation or instability. Truncation contributes to the development and variation of musical ideas, adding depth and interest to compositions.