March Forms Flashcards
March Meters
Most Common: 2/4, 6/8, and cut time
Also: 4/4
March Key Signatures
Written with no more than 4 flats.
Common: F, Bb, Eb, and Ab
Key change happens in the trio strain
Traditional American March Form
I-AA-BB-C(C)-Br-C(Grandioso)
Intro-First Strain-Second-Trio-Breakup-Grandioso(Final)
March Intro Contains…
4, 8 or 16 measures
Establishes tonal center
Commonly based on the Dominant chord
First Strain Contains
First musical theme
8-16 measures with 4 bar phrases
Tonic key
Usually repeated
Second Strain Contains
Maintains same tonality as First
16 measures and repeated
Lyrical
Ends with a PAC
Trio Strain Contains
Introduces a new theme
4-8 measure intro
Modulation: add a flat or subdominant
Woodwind dominant
16 measures repeated or 32 through composed
Omit percussion battery
Breakup Strain Contains
Interlude
8-16 measure section
Feature fragments of a previous theme
Typically in the trio’s dominant qualities
Grandioso (C) Contains
16-32 measures
Repeat if the trio with louder dynamics
New counter melody/woodwind obbligato/bugle call
Stinger
Single note that concludes the March
Performed marcato and tutti
Strongest in unison/octaves
Usually a part of a PAC
Regimental March
New 4th strain is introduced
I-AA-BB-CC-DD
Ex: Semper Fidelis (Sousa) and Bugle and Drums (Goldman)
Circus March…aka
Screamer
140-220 BPM
Henry Filmore’s “The Circus Bee”
British March
88-122 BPM, stately feel
Contains stingers performed to their full value
Kenneth J. Alford
German March
Strict tempo, 110 BPM
“Oom-pay” style
Bass/low voices on down beat
Snare/high voices on up beat
Wagner’s “Under the Double Eagle”
French March
Common time
116-132 BPM
Emphasis on percussion and brass
Bugle calls
Interludes between strains
“Le Régiment de Sambre et Meuse”
