Structural Forms

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Structural Forms

• Simplified explanations of the various
• musical forms

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Song Forms

• One part
• Simple two-part
• Expanded two-part
• Incipient three-part
• Three-part
• Enlarged three-part
• Five-part
• Free or group forms

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Two-part song forms (or smallest binary forms)

• Two balancing divisions are analogous,
  structurally, to the units
• which are combine to form larger patterns
• figure figure motive
• motive motive semi-phrase
• semi-phrase semi-phrase phrase
• phrase phrase period
• period period double period
• The simple two-part song form Part I may be
  from a phrase to a double period in length. The
  cadence
• at the end of Part I may be
• Authentic, in the tonic of the dominant
• Authentic, in the tonic of the related key
• Half cadence on the dominant
• Authentic in the original tonic

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Phrase Groups/Periods

• Periods are either parallel or contrasting.
• In designating phrases the letters A, B, C, etc.
  are used.
• Four contrasting phrases would be A B C D.
• Two identical phrases following one another would
  be A A B B C C, etc.
• Four similar, but not identical, phrases would be
  A A A A
• Common types of parallel double periods are
• A A A A A A A B A B A B A B A C

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Part I and Part II or Part A and B combine
to form a two-part binary form

• Part I may be from a phrase to a double
  period in length.
• Part II may also be from a phrase to a
  double period in length.
• Part II may be in the same key as Part I or
  in a related key.
• Final cadence is authentic in the original
  tonic.
• Often Parts I and II are identical in length
  if not, Part II is
• generally longer.

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Binary Form (repeat possibilities)
/
/
Part I
Part II
/
Part I
Part II

Part I
Part II
Part I
Part I
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Binary TypesSimple vs. Rounded

• Occasionally the B section will end with a
  return of the opening material from the A
  section.
• This is referred to as rounded binary, and is
  labeled as A B A
• In rounded binary, the beginning of the B section
  is sometimes referred to as the bridge.
• Rounded binary contrasts with ternary form (ABA),
  the difference is that the B section in ternary
  form contrasts with the A material, i.e. minuet
  and trio
• If B section lacks a return of the A material, it
  is conisidered simple binary.

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Binary TypesSectional vs. Continuous

• If the A section ends with an Authentic (Perfect
  or Imperfect) cadence in the tonic key, it is
  referred to as a sectional binary.
• If the A section ends with any other kind of
  cadence, it is referred to as a continuous
  binary. (The B section continues the new
  established by the cadence at the end of the A
  section.

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Binary TypesSymmetrical vs. Asymmetrical

• If the A and B sections are roughly equal in
  length, it is referred to as symmetrical
• If the A and B sections are of unequal length,
  the design is referred to as asymmetrical.

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Understanding three part forms
When speaking of three-part forms, we often use
terms such As the three-part song form or ternary
form. We represent these forms in a simplified
manner, where A B A refers to one of the
distinctive parts of the piece or
movement. While we speak of a three-part
structure, and use the terms, Part I, Part II,
and Part III, the third part is not actually a
different part but is a restatement, exact or
somewhat modified, of Part I.
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Ternary StructuresThe most frequently used
musical structure 1700-1900?

• Three-part period
• Incipient three-part song form
• Three-part song form
• Enlarged three-part song form
• Five-part song form
• Song form with trio
• Minuet and trio (song form with trio)
• First rondo form
• Second rondo form
• Third rondo form
• Sonatine
• Sonata-allegro

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General three-part simple form Simple Ternary
A B A thematic return (A) after a digression
(B) A1 Statement B digression A2
return (or reprise) Three Part Patterns (but
not Ternary) A A A (series of strophes) A B C
additive A A B A B B
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Linear Graphs for Ternary forms
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Rondo FormsThree principal varieties most often
used

• First Rondo Form A B A
• Second Rondo Form A B A C A
• Third Rondo Form A B A C A B A

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The First Rondo Form

• The principal theme (A) may be from a period to a
  song form in length.
• A transition or an episode may occur between the
  principal them (A) and the subordinate theme (B).
• The subordinate theme (B) is, with few
  exceptions, in a related key or mode. The
  subdominant however is the least favored.

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The Second Rondo Form
In tonal music, the key relationship of the parts
is A B A C A Key 1 Key 2 Key 1 Key
3 Key 1
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