MUSIC FORM

&
STRUCTURE
What is Musical Form &
Structure??
What Is Musical Form &
Structure??

 The way music is organized

 Every piece of music has an

overall plan or structure, the
"big picture”
What’s the Purpose of
Music Form ??
If We label our musical materials, ideas
or sections with the letters of the
alphabet we can show how musical
forms are created
Understand the structure ..
 Any Single Section of music consisting of phrases or
other musical sections, we can call A. This Musical
section can be repeated to create an AA Form

 If we Instead chose to add a new section, B we would

have the musical form AB. This would be two
contrasting musical sections.

 If We chose to add another A to an AB form, but this

time with variation, we would have the form ABA’.
( The ‘ is used to indicate variation.
What are some common
musical forms???
Common Musical Forms:
 Strophic - AAA, etc.
 Binary – AB
 Rounded Binary- AB(A1/2)
 Ternary - ABA
 Rondo - ABACA, or ABACADA
 Arch - ABCBA
 Sonata Form - Exposition: (Theme Group 1 - Theme Group
2) --- Development --- Recapitulation: (Theme Group 1 -
Theme Group 2)
 Sonata Rondo - ABA - C – ABA
STROPHIC FORM
One Simple Recurring section with no other sections

Example: A Blues Song A,A,A etc…

STORMY MONDAY BLUES

BINARY FORM
Two Sections A,B
RONDO FORM

Rondo Form


ABACABA
 BINARY FORM

Ternary Form

ABA
SONATA FORM

CAN BE FOUND IN

• Symphonies
• Concert Style Music
• Chamber Style Music
NOW YOU KNOW
*What is Musical Form & Structure

*What are common Musical Forms

*Some Styles of Music & there Corresponding Musical Forms

NOW LETS COMPOSE

!!!!!!!!!!!!