MUST 311 Sonata Theory and Form

action zone

a specific range of pitches within a musical composition. This range is often where the most important melodic or harmonic activity occurs, and it can often be where the melody or harmony changes.

antecedent

melodic or harmonic phrase followed by a consequent phrase. it establishes a musical idea or motif to be expanded on in the consequent phrase.

basic idea

main melodic or harmonic idea developed and expanded upon in a piece of music.

characteristic material

a specific melodic, harmonic, or rhythmic idea closely associated with a composer or a style of music. it is distinctive and recognizable.

closing material

at the end of piece, gives a sense of finality and conclusion.

coda

comes after main body of composition.

continuation phrase

same thing as consequent phrase. following an antecedent phrase.

continuous exposition

main idea and themes are presented and developed without any clear breaks or pauses. the themes and ideas are formed in various ways. it is flexible and adaptable.

conventional material

material considered “typical” in the specific style or genre in question. it gives the composition a sense of predictability and familiarity. it helps define the expectations and conventions of a particular genre.

core

usually in the development, it is where the main themes and ideas are developed and expanded upon. usually the most harmonically and melodically active part of the piece. where the piece reaches the climax.

core substitute

takes place of the original core. adds variety and interest to the pieces or adds a different overall structure. The composer may use a core substitute to create a more compact or streamlined form. it allows composers to experiment with form and brings new takes on traditional structure.

crux

the point in the recapitulation (usually end of the transition) where the recapitulation starts brining back material of the transition, secondary theme, and closing theme transposed to tonic.

default

a section of music that takes the place of a traditional sections of the form, such as expo., dev., or recap. it’s used to add variety or interest to the piece

deformation

a type of variation to the musical idea

pre-core

comes before core in the development.