Form In Music Form Form Formula Format A

Form • Form. = Formula / Format • A “recipe” for how to put

Form as a Recipe • Usually starts out with the main course, and the

Form as a Recipe • For music, it’s theme that is the primary focus,

• Repetition • Variation • Contrast • Music is heard in sections. Each

Section • Beat = steady pulse • Meter = divided by 2, 3, or

Section • New sections usually start on beat 1 of a new bar. •

Section • “Classical” or “Art” music will often have a new section starting on

Section • Vocal music will often follow the same types of cues, but will

Analyzing for Form • Is there an introduction? If so, note that • The

Analyzing for Form • After the A section, listen to see what label follows.

Analyzing for Form • Form requires you to REMEMBER what you have previously heard.

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Form In Music

Form • Form. = Formula / Format • A “recipe” for how to put your product together

Form as a Recipe • Usually starts out with the main course, and the rest of the meal is created around that. • What will complement (complete) it? • What should I avoid? • How much should I make?

Form as a Recipe • For music, it’s theme that is the primary focus, and the rest of the composition is built around that, asking the same questions: • What will complement (complete) it? • What should I avoid? • How long should it be?

• Repetition • Variation • Contrast • Music is heard in sections. Each section is a response to the previous section.

Section • Beat = steady pulse • Meter = divided by 2, 3, or 4 (usually) • “Bar” = a measure. One count to 4 (or 2 or 3, depends on the meter) • Phrase = usually an even number of “bars” • Phrases are joined to form a section.

Section • New sections usually start on beat 1 of a new bar. • Rock and commercial music will often announce a new section with a drum fill (ending with a crash cymbal), guitar build-up, and/or a bass “walk” that leads into it. • Your ear can learn to hear and even predict when this happens

Section • “Classical” or “Art” music will often have a new section starting on beat 1 also. • Phrases are usually even lengths in bars. • A new section is sometimes set up by a full cadence (resting place), but isn’t always a big announcement.

Section • Vocal music will often follow the same types of cues, but will have the addition of lyrics to help identify new sections.

Analyzing for Form • Is there an introduction? If so, note that • The first proper section will be given the label A. (an introduction is usually just identified but not labeled) • Determine when the next section begins • Count number of bars or phrases to see if it “feels” right

Analyzing for Form • After the A section, listen to see what label follows. • A if it is an exact repetition • A 1 or A’ if it is a variation (new lyrics) • B if it is a contrast, with different melody, harmony, groove, rhyme scheme, etc.

Analyzing for Form • Form requires you to REMEMBER what you have previously heard. • Often, you must listen repeatedly to decide what is happening!