ABSTRACT
Variation is the process of exploring a specific task in ways that lead to greater ability and understanding. It allows for an exercise to be mastered and then rearranged into more complicated variations, thus developing one’s ability to gain greater technical prowess. Variations are created once a simple idea or activity can be performed effortlessly. It is at this point that it is reworked and is to be performed either backward, slowly, quickly, loudly, quietly, staccato (short sounds), legato (long sounds), in ascending or descending order, or in any other combination. Variations are often more interesting and vibrant than the original idea itself.
