Form and Structure

Contrast

The difference between parts or different instrument sounds. The 3 types of contrast are rhythmic, melodic and harmonic

Theme and Variations

A piece of music with an initial theme that is subsequently repeated, with various changes made to it: A A1 A2 A3 A4

Strophic / Verse-repeating / Chorus form

This term applies to songs in which all verses or stanzas of the text are sung to the same music

32 bar song form / AABA

this form consists of four sections, each section being 8 bars in length, totalling 32 bars

Binary

A piece of music with 2 distinct and contrasting sections: A B

Ternary

A piece of music with 2 distinct and contrasting sections. Section A is also called the theme and is repeated after the B section: ABA

Rondo

A piece of music with a recurring theme ( A section). Contrasting episodes are played between: A B A C A

Minuet and trio

A more complex ternary form

Repetition

Used to make the music more memorable. Motifs, themes and whole sections can often be repeated, sometimes with slight variations

12 bar blues

One of the most well used popular music forms, using chords 1 4 5 of the key

Call and response

A succession of two distinct phrases usually written in different parts of the music, where the second phrase is heard as a direct commentary on or in response to the first

Ostinato

A short repeating rhythm or melody, often used as the basis of a composition

Bridge

The bridge is often used to contrast with and prepare for the return of the verse and the chorus

Break

In popular music, a break is an instrumental or percussion section during a song

Loop

Electro music - a short repeating melody idea or rhythm, using created electronically and/or through the use of sampled material

Improvisation

A spontaneous performance that has not previously been written out/played. Improvised music will often be based on a set of notes (key/scale/mode) or a chord progression

Verse

The verses are used to develop the theme/story of the song (lyrically). The musical material will often remain the same from verse to verse.

Chorus

The main message / theme of the song (lyrically). Will often be repeated throughout the song with little/no changes made

Middle 8

A middle 8 is a section in a song that often happens towards the middle of the song and is eight bars in length

Fill

A short musical passage, riff, or rhythm which helps to sustain the listener’s attention during a break between the phrases of a melody

Introduction

Often used to set the mood and tempo of the music. Also introduces the listen to the genre and instruments used in the music

Outro

The concluding section of a piece of music

Coda

Often used in ‘classical’ music. A desperate section that brings the piece to a close

Riff

A theme or a short musical idea, often used as a basis for a section or song. Will often be repeated - a popular music ostinato