In music, imitation is when a musical gesture is repeated later in a different form, but retains its original character. When a phrase recurs exactly as before, it is called strict imitation. A canon exists solely by grace of strict imitation. Repetition is defined as the repetition of a phrase or melody often with variations in key, rhythm, and voice.
In counterpoint, imitation occurs in a second voice, usually at a different pitch. Imitatitive writing was featured heavily in the highly polyphonic compositions of the renaissance and baroque eras.
In pop music a much clichéd form of imitation consists of a background choir repeating — usually the last notes — of the lead singer's last line.
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