Structure

Question 1

ground bass

Answer 1

a repeating phrase in the bass (a type of ‘ostinato’) especially in some Baroque pieces, notably by Purcell

Question 2

form, structure

Answer 2

the overall shape of a composition(e.g. binary, ternary, rondo). ‘Form’ and ‘structure’ are largely synonymous

Question 3

binary

Answer 3

a form with two sections (often referred to as A and B), each usually repeated. the A section usually modulates from the tonic to dominant or relative major. the B section returns to the tonic, usually via other keys

Question 4

introduction

Answer 4

an opening passage or section which clearly prepares for (or introduces) the first main idea (e.g. in a song where the piano has an introduction before the singer begins)

Question 5

phrase

Answer 5

a short passage of music to some extent comparable to a phrase in speaking or writing. many phrases are two or four bars long

Question 6

rondo

Answer 6

a form comprising several statements of a main section interspersed with contrasting episodes. the simplest rondo structure was ABACA, where A is the recurring section, and B and C are the episodes

Question 7

sonata form

Answer 7

a large-scale form which evolved in the Classical period. it combines elements of binary form, and ternary form (in having exposition, development and recapitulation)

Question 8

ternary

Answer 8

a form with three sections (often referred to as A B A). the opening section is repeated (exactly or varied), section B providing pronounced contrast

Question 9

strophic

Answer 9

a strophic song has the same (or similar) music for each stanza of the poem being set. (a song in which some or all stanzas are set differently is ‘through-composed’)