Music Terminology - Form and Structure

Question 1

Binary Form

Answer 1

Two-part (A - B) structure of music; usually each part is repeated.

Question 2

Ternary Form

Answer 2

A compositional form which consists of three major sections, an A section which states the thematic material, a B section which presents a contrasting theme, and a final A section which restates the opening thematic material.

Question 3

Rondo Form

Answer 3

Compositional form with a returning A section. It is generally considered A-B-A-C-A but it can have more letters added for more section.

Question 4

Theme and Variations

Answer 4

A style of composition that first presents a basic theme and then develops and alters that theme in successive statements.

Question 5

Strophic

Answer 5

Musical Form in which every verse (strophe) of the text is sung to the same musical tune. It would be AAA form.

Question 6

Sonata Form

Answer 6

The form generally used for the opening movement of a symphony. It is also known as first-movement form. It consists of an exposition, followed by a development and a recapitulation.

Question 7

Tone/Symphonic Poem

Answer 7

A one-movement orchestral genre that develops a poetic idea, suggests a scene, or creates a mood. The symphonic poem is generally associated with the Romantic era.

Question 8

Sonata-Rondo Form

Answer 8

A merging of Sonata Form (Exp./Dev./Recap.) and Rondo Form (ABACA). The usual form is [A B] exp. [C] dev. [A B] recap.

Question 9

Minuet and Trio

Answer 9

An A-B-A form (A = minuet; B = trio) in a moderate triple meter that is often the third movement of a Classical symphony.

Question 10

Through-Composed

Answer 10

Song form that is composed from beginning to end without repetitions of any major sections; each verse having its own, unique melody. ABCD, etc.

Question 11

Cyclic Form

Answer 11

A technique of musical construction, involving multiple sections or movements, in which a theme, melody, or thematic material occurs in more than one movement as a unifying device

Question 12

Verse/Chorus

Answer 12

Pop song structure using combinations of verses and choruses.

Question 13

Pre-Chorus

Answer 13

A small section of music that links the verse to the chorus. It usually prepares the listener for the chorus by building tension.

Question 14

32-Bar Song Form

Answer 14

Form common in popular music from the 1930s- 1960s. It involves an AABA structure; each being 8 bars long.

Question 15

12-Bar Blues

Answer 15

A type of structure in Blues music that last 12 bars, each bar with a different chord. It usually takes the form: I / I / I / I / IV / IV / I / I / V / IV / I / I.

Question 16

Introduction

Answer 16

A small section of music that comes before the main musical material begins.

Question 17

Exposition

Answer 17

First section of Sonata Form. It introduces both subjects to the listener.

Question 18

Development

Answer 18

Middle section of Sonata Form. One (or both) of the exposition subjects is explored through different keys and transformations.

Question 19

Recapitulation

Answer 19

Final section of Sonata Form. The exposition is repeated but with both subjects in the tonic key.

Question 20

Codetta/Coda

Answer 20

The closing measures of a section or composition. It is usually not part of the main theme groups but a finishing theme added to the end to give the composition closure.

Question 21

Outro

Answer 21

The ending to a piece a music, usually a pop/rock song.

Question 22

Middle 8

Answer 22

The middle 8 bars of a pop/rock song. This usually gives variation/contrast within a verse and chorus form.

Question 23

Programmatic Form

Answer 23

Programme music or program music is a type of classical music that attempts to render an extra-musical narrative musically.

Question 24

Fugue

Answer 24

A theme or subject is introduced by one voice, and is imitated by other voices in succession. Usually only the first few notes of the subject are imitated exactly, then each voice deviates slightly until the next time it enters again with the subject. Generally the voices overlap and weave in and out of each other forming a continuous, tapestry-like texture.

Question 25

Ostinato

Answer 25

A short melodic, rhythmic, or harmonic pattern that is repeated throughout an entire composition or some portion of a composition.

Question 26

Ground Bass

Answer 26

A bass part that recurs over and over while the melody and voices over it change and vary continuously.

Question 27

Bridge

Answer 27

Transitional passage connecting two sections of a composition.

Question 28

Riff

Answer 28

In Pop and Jazz compositions, a short ostinato, two to four bars long.

Question 29

Jazz Chorus

Answer 29

Usually refers to the complete section of a song within a Jazz setting. For example, if there was an AAB section worth 12 bars. This complete section would be the “chorus”.

Question 30

Head

Answer 30

A slang expression, primarily in jazz, that refers to the main melody of a popular song

Question 31

Cadenza

Answer 31

An ornamental passage performed near the close of a composition, usually improvised, and usually performed by a soloist. Cadenzas are mostly to be found in arias or a concerto.

Question 32

Inversion

Answer 32

The mirroring of a tune about a fixed note. This is to say, the imitation of the melody performed upside-down from the original

Question 33

Retrograde

Answer 33

Moving backwards; A device used by composers where a series of notes (comprising a figure or theme) is brought back later in the composition, but written backwards

Question 34

Retrograde Inversion

Answer 34

A combination of the retrograde and inversion compositional devices. A melody is written backwards and upside down.

Question 35

Improvisation

Answer 35

Where a performer will make up a solo without preparation, usually over a defined chord progression.

Question 36

Call and Response

Answer 36

Performance style with a singing leader who is imitated by a chorus of followers.

Question 37

Aleatoric Music (Aleatory)

Answer 37

Music in which the composer introduces the elements of chance or unpredictability with regard to either the composition or its performance.