A Formal Affair Getting Down to the Bare Bones of Music

Forte clip ‘n’ save A Formal Affair Getting Down to the Bare Bones of Music n Underneath melody, harmony, rhythms, It’s likely that you already know some musical forms without even real- dynamics, and articulations, there is izing it. For example, you probably sang in rounds as a kid, and you’re form: the skeleton of the music. Most probably aware that pop and rock songs usually follow the format of verses alternating with a repeated chorus. simply explained, musical form is an outline of when and where musical ideas Of course you can play and enjoy music without knowing what’s hap- are introduced, repeated, built upon, and pening at the structural level. But have you ever noticed that the more expanded. you listen to a song, the more it tends to grow on you? Familiarity makes music more enjoyable—so recognizing the form of the music and having a sense of what’s coming next will enhance your listening or playing experience. Listed below are some of the most common forms that music follows. Forms can be labeled with letters, starting with “A” for the first grouping of musical material (for example, a verse in a song), and then using a subsequent letter for each time new music is introduced. It’s interesting to note that, as much as music has changed throughout history, some of the forms that were used centuries ago are still used in today’s music. Strophic: This is the simplest form rial (for example, ABA). Often, the Sonata: This is the most complicated music can take. The same material first statement of the “A” section is musical form—too complicated to is repeated multiple times (AAAA). repeated (AABA). This variation of label with letters. A piece in sonata Hymns without a refrain follow ternary form is commonly found in form begins with an “exposition” of strophic form, and folk music is often arias (sung solos) in 18th century material, which usually involves two strophic, as well. operas, as well as in blues and jazz contrasting themes. There is then a songs. Binary: In this form, there are two “development” section, during which themes, which may or may not be Rondo: A recurring theme is alter- those original themes are some- repeated. The song or piece always nated with contrasting sections, how varied and changed. This may ends with the second theme (or “B”). called “episodes” (ABACAD … ). 16th include moving to different keys, Baroque dances are often in binary and 17th century madrigals are often expanding small motives, altering form (AABB). In popular music, the in rondo form, and symphonies or rhythms, etc. themes—the verse and chorus— concertos may also take this form. The original material then returns are alternated (ABABAB). Many in the “recapitulation.” You may also pop or rock songs replace the third Theme and Variations: An initial find an “introduction” before the ex- verse with a contrasting “bridge” theme undergoes a series of trans- (ABABCB), but the basic structure is formations; the theme is changed position and a “coda” at the very end. still binary. significantly, but remains recogniz- Sonata form is probably the most able (AA1A2A3 … ). Bach’s Goldberg widely used form in classical music. Ternary: Music in ternary form also Variations is the most famous ex- The first movement of symphonies has two contrasting themes, but ample of this form, which is also and sonatas are almost always struc- always ends with the original mate- found in many symphonies. tured this way. .

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