imitation

In music, "imitation" refers to the technique of repeating a melody or motif in a different voice or instrument, often at a different pitch. This is a fundamental element in many musical forms and styles, particularly in polyphonic music where multiple independent melodic lines are woven together.1

Musical forms like the rondeau and ternary form utilize repetition and variation, which can involve imitative passages. In a broader sense, "parody" in music historically involved creatively reworking pre-existing compositions to create new ones, often incorporating imitation. Modern musical parody, however, typically refers to a humorous imitation of a serious work.1

The concept of imitation is distinct from simply copying or mimicking behavior, which is a more general definition of imitation.23