Chapter 3: The Period

Question 1

What is a period?

Answer 1

8mm theme with 2 phrases: a 4mm antecedent and a 4mm consequent.

Question 2

What is an antecedent?

Answer 2

A 2mm basic idea, followed by a 2mm contrasting idea, ending with a weak cadence (HC or IAC)

Question 3

What is a consequent?

Answer 3

A return of the basic idea, followed by a contrasting idea, ending with a stronger cadence (IAC or PAC)

Question 4

In what ways might the contrasting idea in an antecedent differ from the material in the basic idea?

Answer 4

Texture, dynamics, articulation, etc.

Question 5

The contrasting idea is most obvious when…

Answer 5

…melodic/motivic content differs (i.e.: texture, dynamics, articulation)

Question 6

The contrasting idea is less obvious when…

Answer 6

…built from basic idea motifs.

Question 7

T/F: You should not see harmonic progression in the contrasting idea of the antecedent.

Answer 7

False

Question 8

T/F: The antecedent may contain characteristics of the continuation function.

Answer 8

True

Question 9

If the return of the basic idea in a period is a sequential return, how does it usually appear?

Answer 9

transposed to the II

Question 10

Elision?

Answer 10

no

(just no)

Question 11

What is a lead-in?

Answer 11

A brief melodic idea that links the end of the antecedent w/the beginning of the consequent.

Question 12

What does a lead-in do?

Answer 12

(1) Generates rhythmic continuity and flow
(2) Gives the impression it belongs to neither the weak cadence or the basic idea

Question 13

Why don’t we see elision within a period?

Answer 13

(1) the progression of harmonies do not make it sound like an authentic cadence
(2) if there were an authentic cadence, you’d have a 5mm antecedent which breaks the symmetry
(3) obscures boundaries of weak vs. strong cadences in periods

Question 14

What is a sentential antecedent?

Answer 14

When the antecedent has sentence-like properties (“mini-sentence”)

(i.e.: 1m b.i.; 1m %; 2mm cont.)

Question 15

T/F: It is common for a period to modulate.

Answer 15

False: Most periods don’t modulate, but when it does happen, the antecedent will stay in the original key; the consequent will end with a strong cadence in the new related key. Sometimes the antecedent may modulate resulting in a reinterpreted half cadence.

Question 16

What is a reinterpreted half cadence?

Answer 16

When an antecedent appears to end in a PAC, but upon further examination of the consequent truly acts as a HC in the period

Question 17

In what ways are the sentence and the period similar? In what ways are they different?

Answer 17

Similarities:
-Both themes are normally 8mm in length, divided into two 4mm phrases.
-Both themes end with a cadence.
-Both themes begin with a 2mm. basic idea, which is restated at some point in the theme.

Differences:
-The sentence has one cadence; the period has tow cadences.
-The sentence can end with any cadence type (PAC, IAC, or HC); the period cannot end with an HC.
-In the sentence, the basic idea is repeated within the presentation phrase; in the period, the basic idea returns at the start of the consequent phrase.

Question 18

What are the differing aesthetic qualities of the sentence and the period?

Answer 18

Sentence - sense of mobility and forward drive
Period - balanced and stable

Question 19

What is expanded cadential progression?

Answer 19

When the cadential progression expands to the extent of supporting a complete phrase (of at least 4mm) or group of phrases. (i.e.: when there is no “continuation” but goes straight to cadential material)