Interpolation (music)
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In music, interpolation is an abrupt change of elements, with (almost immediate) continuation of the first idea. Another definition for interpolation can be located in William Caplin's textbook on classical form, in which he states that, in the context of a musical sentence or period, interpolation is "unrelated material inserted between two logically succeeding functions." (Caplin 255)
This device is commonly used to extend what would normally be a regular phrase into an irregular and extended phrase. This expansion by interpolation is achieved by the addition of extra music in the middle of a phrase (commonly through the use sequence). A clear example exists in the second movement of Mozart's Piano Sonata, K.330.
Interpolation can also refer to when an artist uses a melody from a previously recorded song - but records it himself. This differs from sampling, where the artist uses an existing melody without recording it himself. Using an interpolation is often easier than sampling to clear through legal channels.
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