Structure/Form
STRUCTURE or FORM is the large-scale layout of the piece, specifically, the arrangement of sections of music
There are many different types of structures.
The BINARY form consists of two sections and is one of the simplest structures. (A – B)
The TERNARY form consists of three sections. The first section is repeated at the end. (A – B – A)
In a RONDO form the first section is repeated after each new section. (A – B – A – C – A – D – A...)
In THEME AND VARIATIONS a main tune called the ‘theme’ is changed slightly and developed through a piece.
e.g. Mozart 12 variations of ‘Ah, vous dirai-je maman’ (twinkle twinkle little star)
In GROUND BASS, the bass part of the composition plays a short melodic pattern repeatedly that serves as a significant element of the composition.
There are many different types of structures.
The BINARY form consists of two sections and is one of the simplest structures. (A – B)
The TERNARY form consists of three sections. The first section is repeated at the end. (A – B – A)
In a RONDO form the first section is repeated after each new section. (A – B – A – C – A – D – A...)
In THEME AND VARIATIONS a main tune called the ‘theme’ is changed slightly and developed through a piece.
e.g. Mozart 12 variations of ‘Ah, vous dirai-je maman’ (twinkle twinkle little star)
In GROUND BASS, the bass part of the composition plays a short melodic pattern repeatedly that serves as a significant element of the composition.