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) Interpolation may also refer to borrowing.

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 of sequence). A clear example exists in the second movement of Mozart's Piano Sonata, K.330.

David Lynch has cited the musical concept of interpolation as the theme for his film Lost Highway^{[citation needed]}.

[edit] Borrowing

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Interpolation can also refer to when an artist uses a melody from a previously recorded song—but records it themselves. This differs from sampling, where the artist uses an existing melody without recording it themselves. Using an interpolation is often easier than sampling to clear through legal channels.

An example of this is the song Fearless, recorded by the band Pink Floyd, which features an interpolation of the music of You'll Never Walk Alone, written by Rogers and Hammerstein.

Another example is that Mariah Carey had planned to use "Firecracker" in the song Loverboy but Sony Music had allowed Jennifer Lopez to use the sample because J. Lo was released before Glitter. Later in the remix of "Loverboy" she used an interpolation of "Firecracker".