Structure

Question 1

Strophic Form

Answer 1

Where there are a series of verses/strophes with the same melody each time, but different lyrics.

Verse 1, Verse 2, Verse 3, etc.

An example would be Amazing Grace.

Question 2

Introduction

Answer 2

Comes at the beginning of a piece, also known as an intro.

Question 3

Coda

Answer 3

The proper name for ‘outro’ - the ending of a piece of music.

Question 4

Minuet and Trio

Answer 4

A movement in three parts (Minuet-Trio-Minuet) based on old dances, used frequently in the Baroque and Classical periods.

The minuet is an elegant dance in 3/4, in binary form (AB).

The trio is in a contrasting key and is for three instruments.

The minuet is repeated after the trio, to complete the movement.

Question 5

Verse

Answer 5

A section of a song that has the same melody each time, but different lyrics.

Also known as a strophe.

Question 6

Chorus

Answer 6

The section of a song that has the same melody and lyrics each time, and returns reguarly throughout the piece.

Usually the most ‘catchy’/memorable part of the song.

Question 7

Scherzo and Trio

Answer 7

Scherzo means ‘joke’ in Italian.

Similar to minuet and trio, but lighter and faster, used more in the Romantic Period by composers such as Beethoven.

Question 8

Middle 8

Answer 8

A section in a song which is 8 bars long (usually), and contrasts with the verses and chorus.

Question 9

Call and Response

Answer 9

When one melodic phrase is answered by another, often in another part/voice.

Eg, “Tell me more, tell me more…”

“Did you get very far?”

“Tell me more, tell me more…”

“Like does he have a car?”

Question 10

Through-Composed

Answer 10

Where a piece of music is different throughout, with little or no repetition.

Eg, Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen

Question 11

Ballad

Answer 11

Meaning 1: A song that tells a story (told/sung by a balladeer)

Meaning 2: A love song (Eg, Your Song by Elton John)

Question 12

Structure

Answer 12

The overall shape of the music, made up of sections that are put together in a certain order.

Question 13

Binary Form

Answer 13

Music with two contrasting sections (A and B), which are usually repeated.

AA-BB

Question 14

Ternary Form

Answer 14

Music with two sections (A and B) where the A section is repeated again at the end.

A-B-A

Question 15

Rondo Form

Answer 15

Where the main theme (A) is repeated in between different contrasting sections.

A-B-A-C-A-D-A…

Question 16

Theme and Variations

Answer 16

Music which introduces a theme (A), which is then repeated again and again but varied/altered each time.

A - A1 - A2 - A3 - A4 etc…

Here’s Mozart’s set of variations on the ‘Twinkle Twinkle’ melody.

Question 17

Sonata Form

Answer 17

A complex variant of ternary form, containing an Exposition (A), Development (B), and Recapitulation (A1).

Often used in opening movements of symphonies, and in lots of piano pieces throughout the Classical and Romantic periods.

This clip explains is rather nicely, even if it wouldn’t get an A* for performance!

Question 18

Ground Bass

Answer 18

A piece of music built upon a repeating bass part (ostinato).

Often takes the form of a theme and variations, but not always.

Example 1: Canon in D by Pachelbel

Example 2: When I Am Laid in Earth by Purcell

Example 3: Bolero by Ravel

Example 4: Whole Lotta Love by Led Zeppelin

Question 19

32-Bar Song Form

Answer 19

Where sections of a song are made up from four 8-bar sections, with the third one providing contrast to the others.

A-A-B-A

This masterpiece is by Bob Dylan and is in 32-bar song form.

Question 20

Symphony

Answer 20

A multi-movement piece written for an orchestra.

Question 21

Concerto

Answer 21

A multi-movement orchestral piece with a featured solo instrument, who gets to play the most virtuosic parts.

Grieg’s Piano Concerto played properly, and not-so-properly.

Question 22

Cadenza

Answer 22

In a concerto, the cadenza is the virtuosic solo section where the soloist gets to show off - sometimes these are even improvised by the performer!