musical theme

Noun

Meaning

(music) melodic subject of a musical composition

Source: WordNet

idea theme melodic theme

line air strain tune melody melodic line

variation motive motif statement

I tried to pay some small tribute to A Man and a Woman (1966) with the recurring musical theme. Dwight Yoakam

the theme is announced in the first measures Source: Internet

the accompanist picked up the idea and elaborated it Source: Internet