What Is The Smallest Musical Unit?

What Is The Smallest Musical Unit? (pronunciation) (help·info) IPA: (/moʊˈtiːf/) (also motive) is a short musical phrase Is a motif a melody? A melodic motif is a melodic formula, established without reference to intervals. A rhythmic motif is the term designating a characteristic rhythmic formula, an abstraction drawn from the rhythmic values of a melody.