Why do I need to use a musical form?
In music, the form gives the music structure and helps the listener understand the musical ideas being presented. The use of a specific form will build anticipation in the mind of the listener and the anticipation can be used to create musical surprises in a well thought out way. The difficulty with creating suspense, anticipation, or resolution in through-composed works generally comes from the listener having little to no frame of reference for what is happening in the form.
Some of the most common forms include two large sections that include large scale repetition. These sections contrast each other using a combination of harmony changes, new melodies, rhythmic or style shifts, or key modulations. See below for some common form diagrams with link examples.
Some of the most common forms include two large sections that include large scale repetition. These sections contrast each other using a combination of harmony changes, new melodies, rhythmic or style shifts, or key modulations. See below for some common form diagrams with link examples.
Binary Form
Binary Form Examples:
Ternary Form
Ternary Form Examples:
Strophic (Song Form)
Strophic Form Examples:
Sonata Form
Sonata Form Examples:
Online Resources
Western Michigan Theory Help
- Includes:
- Strophic, Through-composed, Binary, Ternary
- Sonata Form, Theme and Variations, Minuet and Trio, Scherzo and Trio, Rondo, Sonata Rondo