8.2 Musical Form

Labeling form

Form is a piece's large-scale structure, labeled with letters for sections: A, B, etc. Same letter = same (or similar) material; new letter = new material.

Binary and ternary

Binary form has two sections (AB); ternary form has three (ABA), returning to the opening material after a contrasting middle. Rounded binary (A A B A') is related.

Other forms

Strophic repeats the same music for each verse (AAA); theme and variations (A A' A'' A'''); rondo alternates a refrain with episodes (ABACA).

Key terms

Form

a piece's large structure, labeled A, B, C...

Binary

two sections: AB

Ternary

three sections: ABA

Strophic

same music for each verse (AAA)

Rondo

refrain alternating with episodes (ABACA)

Try an AP-style question

Binary form is typically labeled…

1. ABA
2. AABA
3. AB
4. ABACA