The Period

• 8 measure theme, comprising of two phrases, the antecedent phrase and the consequent phrase

Antecedent Phrase

• Basic idea —> Contrasting idea

• Ends in a weak cadence

Consequent Phrase

• Repetition of the basic idea → Another contrasting idea

• Ends on a strong cadence

The period

• Juxtaposition of ideas

• Two cadences

  • Second is stronger than the first

Basic Idea

• Sets the trajectory for your piece

• Establishes the characteristic material

• Prolongs tonic

• Tends to have at least two motives

• Melodic opening up

Sentence

• Basic idea

• Repetition of basic idea

  • Exact - statement response - sequential

**The period introduces the contrasting idea to the basic idea

Creating contrast

• New melodic - motivic material

• Secondary parameters

  • Texture

  • Dynamics

• Ends in a cadence

Cadential possibilities

• Consequent phrases end with a stronger cadence than the antecedent phrase

  • Half Cadence: Weakest and most common in Antecedents

  • Imperfect authentic cadence: Weaker than HC but not as strong as PAC

• HC → IAC or PAC

• IAC → PAC

Repetition of Basic Idea

• Exact

• Statement response- repeats phrase in tonic in the dominant

• Sequential

Consequent contrasting idea

• Ends in stronger cadence