Form and Analysis
From Wikiversity
Musical form relates to the structure of a given piece, its themes and the relationship between each theme. There are many varieties of form used in music, both popular and classical.
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[edit] Verses and Choruses
Most popular music is shaped around verses and choruses. Each verse has different words [and sometimes different melody and harmonies as well] while the chorus [generally] remains constant. Forms include VVCVCVC… [V-verse C-chorus], CVCV… CC, and variations thereof.
[edit] Binary
In binary music, there are just two different themes which appear only once, one after the other like this:
AB
[edit] Ternary
Ternary music has two themes, one of which appears twice, like this:
ABA
[edit] Rondo
A rondo [rondeau] works as bit like the Verse Chorus form of popular music today. It is also called Ritornello.
ABACADA
[edit] Canon
A canon has a repeated melody line which starts at the same pitch, where each entry is delayed by a few notes. A canon must work so that the harmonies match.
