Chapter 6 - Musical Form; Structure and Design in Music / The Building Blocks of Form

call-and-response

Performance style with a singing leader who is imitated by a chorus of followers. Also responsorial singing. - responsorial style - a leader is imitated by a chorus of followers.

sequence

Restatement of an idea or motive at a different pitch level. Here, the familiar motive is restated a number of times beginning on different pitches; thus, it is treated in sequence. Example: Beethoven, Symphony No. 5 in C minor, first movement

binary (two-part) form (A-B)

Two-part (A-B) form is based on statement and departure. Also two-part form. In this quick dance, the first idea is stated twice, followed by a contrasting idea, which is also repeated; the binary form here is outlined A-A-B-B. Example: Corelli, Suite for Strings, "Badinerie" - two part form based on statement of an idea and departure from it without return of the complete opening section - A-B - "A" melody - "B" melody - or even a "C" melody (but different kind of form) - Greensleeves - "A" melody / starts slow then goes high / both melody & performances are in binary form

contrast

Contrast of musical materials sustains our interest and feeds our love of change; it provides variety to a form. In this example, the first musical idea (heard twice at a fast tempo) is balanced by a contrasting idea, which is also repeated. Example: Corelli, Suite for Strings, "Badinerie"

A-B

Formal patterns generally outlined with letters: binary form as A-B and ternary form as A-B-A (illustrated in the chart on p. 32).

A-B-A

Formal patterns generally outlined with letters: binary form as A-B and ternary form as A-B-A (illustrated in the chart on p. 32).

variation

A formal principle in which some aspects of the music are altered but the original is still recognizable; it falls between repetition and contrast. Here, a familiar melody is varied by a change of harmony (from major to minor) and by altering the rhythm, yet it is still recognizable. Example: Haydn, Symphony No. 94 (Surprise), second movement - Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star - originally a French tune (folk melody) - have to be able to hear the original somehow

ostinato

A short melodic, rhythmic, or harmonic pattern that is repeated throughout a work or a section of one. In this example, a short (four-note) descending pattern in the bass is heard throughout under the voices. Example: Monteverdi: Lament of the Nymphs - a melody or rhythm that continues without change for either part of the whole piece. - a technique of creating unity - a short musical pattern repeated throughout - eight notes repeated - "Pachelbel Rant" (she called this a skit) - 4 chords

movements

Complete, self-contained part within a larger musical work. - divide larger pieces into smaller chunks - relatively self contained but need to listen to all - a new chapter of the same piece

improvisation

Creation of a musical composition while it is being performed, seen in Baroque ornamentation, cadenzas of concertos, jazz, and some non-Western musics. See also embellishment.

theme

Melodic idea used as a basic building block in the construction of a composition. Also subject. This melody, or theme, is one in a series of musical events in this work. The theme is a basic idea out of which subsequent musical events grow. Example: Brahms, Symphony No. 4, fourth movement - can be long or short - shortest in history / bah bah bahhhh (Bethoven) / built on that - A melodic idea used as a building block

thematic development

Musical expansion of a theme by varying its melodic outline, harmony, or rhythm. Also thematic transformation. The composer elaborates and varies the opening idea in this example, thus revealing the theme's capacity for growth. Example: Beethoven, Symphony No. 5 in C minor, first movement - tools of thematic development - sequence - motive - the smallest collection / fragment of notes that reminds you of your theme. - can use sequences in both motives and modulations

motive

Short melodic or rhythmic idea; the smallest fragment of a theme that forms a melodic-harmonic-rhythmic unit. In this excerpt, a familiar four-note idea, or motive, is sounded twice before it is subjected to further development. Example: Beethoven, Symphony No. 5 in C minor, first movement

responsorial (singing)

Singing, especially in Gregorian chant, in which a soloist or a group of soloists alternates with the choir. See also call and response. In this example of Gregorian chant, a soloist alternates with a choir, who responds by imitating what was just sung. Example: Gregorian chant, "Kyrie eleison"

strophic form

Song structure in which the same music is repeated with every stanza (strophe) of the poem. - like a poetry stanza - melody does not change / the words do - The Alphabet Song - Mary Had A Little Lamb

form

The structure or shape of a musical work, based on repetition, contrast, and variation; the organizing principle in music. Binary and ternary are basic forms, while more complex forms include sonata-allegro, rondo, minuet and trio, theme and variations, ritornello, and fugue. - works structure or shape - a melody then another later / not at same time - repetition - lengthening or single melody - The Barney Song (used for torture) - balances repetition with contrast (something new) - contrast - feeds our desire for _____

ternary (three-part) form (A-B-A)

Three-part (A-B-A) form based on a statement (A), contrast or departure (B), and repetition (A), Also three-part form. The structure of this dance is ternary (A-B-A), with an opening melodic idea (played by trumpet), a contrasting idea (heard in the strings and woodwinds), followed by a return of the first idea. The form thus has a logical symmetry and balance. Example: Mouret, Rondeau - statement of an idea, departure from it with ? - A-B-A - "Simple Gifts" performed by Judy Collins - probably most common of "form"

repetition

Within a form, repetition fixes the musical material in our mind and satisfies our need for the familiar; it provides unity to a form.