BACH motif

noun

A sequence of four notes (B flat, A, C, B natural), included in a piece of music as a homage to Johann Sebastian Bach.

“The BACH motif: {bes'a'cb'}”

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Meanings

nounBACH motif (plural BACH motifs)

plural BACH motifs

  1. entertainmentA sequence of four notes (B flat, A, C, B natural), included in a piece of music as a homage to Johann Sebastian Bach.

    The BACH motif: {bes'a'cb'}

Origin

These four notes spell Bach's name; in German musical nomenclature “B” stands for B flat, whereas “H” means B natural.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

BACH motif. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/BACH%20motif

MLA

“BACH motif.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/BACH%20motif. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “BACH motif,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/BACH%20motif.

Source: BACH motif on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.