Unit 7: MUSICAL FORM

Unit 7

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Music theory: MUSICAL FORM

Musical form is the structure of a musical composition. Musical form depends on the disposition of certain structural unitsciertas unidades estructurales successively in time. The main units in a musical composition are the sections and we are going to mark them using block lettersciertas unidades estructurales (A, B, C...). The relationship between the sections is the logic of the formlógica formal and can be repetition, variation and contrast, the three fundamental characteristics of musical form.

1.     Some musical forms...

Strophic formForma estrófica (AAAA...)

In music, strophic form is a way of structuring a piece of musicmanera de estructurar una pieza de música based on the repetition of one formal section. A workUna obra in strophic form may be analyzed as A A A... or A A' A"....
Most folk and popular songs are strophic in form

F. Schubert, "Das Wandern"

Binary formForma binaria

Binary form uses two sections (AB...); each section is often repeated (AABB...)

J.S. Bach, "Minueto en Sol Mayor" 

Ternary form

Ternary form has three parts. In Western classical musicMúsica clásica occidental a simple ternary form has a third section that is a recapitulation of the first (ABA). Often the first section is repeated (AABA)

L.Boccherini, Minueto (y Trío) del quineto para cuerda op. 13

Rondo form

Rondo form has a recurring themetema recurrente (estribillo) alternating with different (usually contrasting) sections called episodes. It may be asymmetricalasimétrico (ABACADAEA) or symmetrical (ABACABA).

M.A. Charpentier, "Te Deum"

Variational forms

Variational forms are those in which variation is an important formative element. Theme and Variations is a theme, which in itselfel cual en sí mismo can be of any shorter form (binary, ternary, etc.) and is repeated indefinitely (as in strophic form) but is varied each timees variado cada vez.

W.A. Mozart, "Sonata en La Mayor K.V. 331"

B. Britten, "The Young Persons Guide to the Orchestra"

2.     Musical form in popular music

The structures or musical forms of songs in popular music are typically sectional forms, such as strophic form. The more common parts are:

Introduction

The introduction is a unique section that comes at the beginning of the piece.

Stanza or verseCopla

In music, a stanza or verse, is a poem setestrofa. Interesante vocabulario: to set a poem tu music: ponerle música a un poema with a recurring pattern of both rhyme and meterpatrón recurrente (repetido) de rima y metro.Normally verses have the same structure but different lyrics.

Chorus

Chorus is used to mean the refrain of a songel estribillo de una canción, which often sharply contrastscontrasta marcadamente the verse melodically, rhythmically, and harmonically, and assumes a higher level of dynamics and activity, often with added instrumentation. Normally a chorus will repeat the music and lyrics.

Bridge

In song writing, a bridge is an interlude that connects two parts of that song, building a harmonic connection between those parts.

Instrumental Solo

A solo is a section of reduced instrumentality designed to featuredestacar a single performer. A break is an instrumental or percussion section that forms an interlude during a song.

3.      PRACTICE

Relax 6/9