From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
In music, variation is a formal technique where material is altered during repetition; reiteration with changes. Changes may be harmonic, melodic, contrapuntal, rhythmic, and of timbre or orchestration.
Variation form, or theme and variation, is a musical form where a theme is repeated in altered form or accompanied in a different manner. Passacaglias and chaconnes are forms in with a repeating bass line or ostinato is heard through the entire piece. Fantasia variation is a form which relies on variation but which repeates and incorporates material freely.
