Music Form and Structure - Quick Notes
- Structure is the overall plan of a piece of music.
- Common forms used in pop vs other genres differ in how sections are laid out.
- Definition: two different sections, labeled A and B.
- Form: A – B.
- Definition: three sections, with the first and third being the same.
- Form: A – B – A.
- Definition: main theme (A) keeps returning after contrasting sections.
- Common pattern: A – B – C – A (and sometimes more returns of A).
- Verse: melody typically stays the same; lyrics change with each verse.
- Chorus (refrain): melodic and lyrical phrase that repeats.
- Typical parts in the structure: Intro – Verse – Pre-Chorus – Chorus – Bridge – Middle 8 – Interlude – Instrumental – Outro.
- Definition: 32-bar form also known as AABA; used in Tin Pan Alley and early American popular music.
- Characteristics: two 8-bar sections (A) followed by a contrasting 8-bar section (B), then a return to A.
- Common in show tunes and jazz standards.
- Example: “Yesterday” by The Beatles is often cited in discussions of popular tunes with this form.
- Definition: 12-bar blues refers to the number of bars in the progression.
- Harmonic basis: three chords based on the I, IV, and V chords of the key.
- Typical progression: I – IV – V in a 12-bar sequence.
- Example: “Johnny B. Goode” by Chuck Berry.
Quick reference (diagrams and shorthand)
- Binary: A – B
- Ternary: A – B – A
- Rondo: A – B – C – A (with A returning)
- Verse–Chorus Form: Verse (melody constant, lyrics change) + Chorus (refrain) + repeated sections
- 32 Bar Form: A – A – B – A (overall 32 bars)
- 12 Bar Blues: I – IV – V progression over 12 bars