Chapter 2: The Sentence

Question 1

What is a theme?

Answer 1

A complete formal unit, which includes its particular melodic-motivic content, its accompanimental texture, and its supporting harmonic progression

Question 2

What is a sentence?

Answer 2

An 8mm theme built on 2 phrases. The first phrase is a 4mm presentation phrase followed by a 4mm continuation phrase.

Question 3

What is a presentation phrase made of?

Answer 3

A 2mm basic idea and a repetition of the basic idea.

Question 4

What are the 3 formal functions of the sentence?

Answer 4

Presentation
Continuation
Cadential

Question 5

The basic idea is usually stated in tonic harmony and is then repeated. What are the ways the basic idea can be repeated?

Answer 5

-Exact repetition
-Dominant (statement response) repetition
-Sequential repetition (model sequence)

Question 6

What are the 4 devices/characteristics of the continuation phrase?

Answer 6

Fragmentation
Accelerated harmonic rhythm
Increase in rhythmic activity
Sequential Harmonic Progressions

Question 7

What are the 3 possible cadential endings for the continuation phrase?

Answer 7

PAC, IAC, HC
(not deceptive cadence as it is not an “ending”)

Question 8

The basic idea’s melodic content is usually characteristic, not conventional. What does this mean?

Answer 8

Characteristic - individual to the piece
Conventional - interchangeable piece to piece (often cadential material, but not always)

Question 9

How large is a basic idea?

Answer 9

2mm (more or less can vary; must contain 2 metrical downbeats)

Question 10

When assessing a basic idea and repetition, what content should be considered?

Answer 10

Harmonic content, not melodic content

Question 11

Of the three kinds of repetition of the basic idea, which one is not as frequent?

Answer 11

Sequential

Question 12

What is Tonic Prolongation?

Answer 12

The progression that prolongs tonic harmony

Question 13

What is a grouping structure?

Answer 13

Organization of significant timespans at any level in a movement (i.e.: group, unit, part, section idea, phrase)

Question 14

What is a formal function?

Answer 14

Specific way a musical passage expresses a more temporal quality (where it falls in the timeline of the music) (i.e.: beginning, “being” in the middle, ending, basic idea, presentation)

Question 15

What is the purpose of the presentation function? How does it achieve this purpose?

Answer 15

Establish melodic-motivic content within a stable tonal harmonic structure/environment
(1) Initial statement and the repetition of the BI will fully present melodic content to the listener
(2) Tonic prolongation provides harmonic stability

Question 16

What is the purpose of the continuation function? How does it achieve this purpose?

Answer 16

Destabilizes the formal content from the presentation and provides greater mobility (ease of movement) to the theme
(1) Fragmentation
(2) Acceleration of Harmonic Rhythm
(3) Increased (surface) rhythmic activity
(4) Sequential Progressions

Question 17

What is fragmentation?

Answer 17

-breaking down of the 2mm unit into smaller segments often made clear through repetition
-sometimes doesn’t happen until after continuation has begun
-sometimes it begins as if it were giving a 1/3 restatement of the basic idea

Question 18

What is acceleration of harmonic rhythm?

Answer 18

Faster rate of harmonic changes

Question 19

What is increased (surface) rhythmic activity?

Answer 19

(feels faster than the presentation)
-fragmentation, harmonic acceleration, and shorter note values help give a sense of increased rhythmic activity
-effective in absence of harmonic acceleration

Question 20

What is sequential progression?

Answer 20

-destabilizes harmony
-model sequence technique

Question 21

T/F: The presentation phrase always ends in a cadence.

Answer 21

False

Question 22

T/F: The continuation phrase always ends in a cadence.

Answer 22

True

Question 23

T/F: A sentence always ends in a cadence.

Answer 23

True

Question 24

How do you identify a cadential function?

Answer 24

A falling of the melodic contour (usually) w/cadential harmonic progression

Question 25

Cadential material starts to be seen when…

Answer 25

…composers systematically liquidate the characteristic melodic and rhythmic motives of the basic idea

Question 26

What is liquidation?

Answer 26

Gradually eliminating characteristic (motivic) features, until only uncharacteristic ones remain

Question 27

Why is there not a cadence at the end of the presentation phrase?

Answer 27

(1) Repetition of BI gives sense of beginning
(2) Thematic closure (cadence) needs idea in contrast to initial idea
(3) Distinguishing difference between cadential material and tonic prolongation

Question 28

“Real” vs. “Notated” Measures

Answer 28

Real=the measures you feel
Notated=the measures you see on the page

(i.e.: a sentence may only be 4mm long if it’s slow and feels like 8 OR a sentence may be 16mm if it’s fast and feels like 8)

Question 29

Can a sentence modulate?

Answer 29

Yes. If so, it will occur in the continuation phrase and will usually be to a closely related keys.