Structure Flashcards
What must you do?
Identify and label different sections and talk about musical features in each
Name whole structure
Apart from the macro structure what should you listen for?
Micro structure
Binary
AB
ABA
Ternary
Rondo
ABACA…
Initial melodic idea/theme is developed upon in subsequent sections with variation of initial theme in each.
Theme and variations
How can variation can be achieved in theme and variations pieces & for repeated sections
- changing harmonies
- altered rhythm
- change of key/ tonality
- register
- tone colour (played by dif instrument)
- new accompaniment
- tempo/time signature
What other forms could the piece be in?
Canon form
strophic form
Through composed
Through composed
relatively continuous, non-sectional, and/or non-repetitive, has a different music for each stanza of the lyrics
When were theme and variations pieces popular
Renaissance, baroque, romantic and beyond
Sonata form
composition in three sections (exposition, development, and recapitulation) in which two themes or subjects are explored according to set key relationships.
What is the development in a sonata
sections of initial theme heard but developed with new material
What happens in recapitulation of a sonata
first 2 themes repeated without any alteration
Exposition in a sonata
2 main themes played, can be repeated
Fugue (mostly baroque)
a contrapuntal composition in which a short melody or phrase (the subject) is introduced by one part and successively taken up by others and developed by interweaving the parts.
Ritornello
Used in solo concertos.
Opens with main theme called a ritornello played tutti by orchestra.
After tutti, solo instrument takes role
Part of ritonello returns followed by another solo from soloist that further develops solo music
When were ritornellos played
mainly in baroque period
structure refers to
How the piece is constructed and how it is divided into sections or parts to create a unified whole
when talking about construction (microstructure) what are good things to discuss
Phrases, motifs, riffs, and ostinatos
what should you do first and then second in a structure question?
name overall structure and then go on to talk about the construction/microstructure of each section
identifying structure:
identify the main motifs and where these motifs re-occur •
Identify the main themes and where these themes re-occur
how can you recognise a new section?
- Repetition of themes or motifs
- Development of themes or motifs
- Old material vs new material
- Label the themes eg: A, B, A1, C, etc.
what is a structure question a disguise for?
an all concepts question
what should you do for each section in a piece
discuss, in detail, the musical features of each section. Make sure you make relevant observations about each concept, with good musical features.
what should are 8 things you should discuss for structure?
- Repetition
- Imitation
- Variation
- Contrast -
- Sequences
- Phrases -
- Themes -
- Improvisation
how could structure achieve contrast
Any features of the music which change or are different throughout -
how could structure achieve unity
The repetition of melody, rhythm or sections, or features of the music which remain constant throughout
how could structure achieve balance
Aural features ‘take turns’ to play the melody etc or just with the layers of sound
