Structure and Form Flashcards
Structure
The overall shape of the music. How the sections are put together
Sonata form
Exposition, Development, Recapitualtion. Often used in first movement of symphonies or concertos
Ternary form
Music with three sections, first section repeated at the end e.g. ABA
Rondo form
The main theme is repeated after contrasting sections e.g. ABACABA
Theme and variations
Music with a main idea which is then varied
Binary form
Music with two contrasting sections, each repeated. AABB
Ground bass
Repeated bass part, usually 8 bars long. The melody above plays a theme and lots of variations. No gaps between variations
Cyclic
Common themes in all movements that link the movements together
Da capo aria
Instruction of “Da capo” means repeat section A with variation
Arch-shape
A shape of a melody, it finishes how it starts. Symmetrical, adds balance.
Call and response
A musical conversation, question and answer
Through-composed
Each verse has different music, no repetition
Pop ballad
Songs that tell stories. Each verse has the same rhythm and the same melody
Continuo
Continuous bass part. One instrument plays the chords Uses figured bass notation. Often played by a harpsichord
Verse/chorus
Verse- same melody, different lyrics. Chorus- main part, catchy, same melody, same lyrics
Strophic form
Each verse has the same melody but different lyrics
Minuet and trio
Minuet is elegant dance in 3/4 time in binary form. The trio contrasts in key and has three instruments playing. The minuet plays again after the trio to finish the piece
Middle 8
Eight bar contrasting section so verse and chorus doesn’t get boring
Coda/outro
The ending can be dramatic and sudden or fade out
Scherzo and trio
A scherzo means “joke” in Italian, it sounds faster and lighter
