Chapter 12: Form
Preview Questions
Introduction
We decided to try something in this book that most others don’t do. The first eleven chapters presented a wide range of styles from different time periods and countries. We thought it would be a good idea to revisit some of the same pieces so that the music would have a better chance of getting into your long-term memory, by listening to it again, and by looking at it from a different perspective, a process we will begin in this chapter and continue in the last three. As a result, this book has a different structure or form from other textbooks you have studied.
Some people talk about different forms of music. In this book we would say they are talking about different styles or genres. In this chapter we’ll look at form in terms of the way a composition is structured. Most pieces are laid out in sections, and we will look at some examples of variety of ways composers have organized them.
Review Questions
- Can you describe how a piece of music you’re familiar with is divided into different sections? What is the difference between each section? Does a section heard early on ever return later?
- How do you think AABA form works?
- What are the names of the different sections in a pop song?
- Do you like it when the guitar player gets a solo in a song as a break from the singing? Why (not)?
- If you were going to compose a 30-minute piece divided into four sections, what would be the best order to put these movements into to make it as engaging for the listener as possible: Minuet (dance in three beats per measure), Fast, Fast, Slow.
- Why would you choose the order that you did? What do you think would be the worst order to put those movements in?
- Why do you think composers repeat the same notes in their pieces?
- What percentage of the time do you prefer that music is predictable compared with the amount of surprise?
Introduction
We decided to try something in this book that most others don’t do. The first eleven chapters presented a wide range of styles from different time periods and countries. We thought it would be a good idea to revisit some of the same pieces so that the music would have a better chance of getting into your long-term memory, by listening to it again, and by looking at it from a different perspective, a process we will begin in this chapter and continue in the last three. As a result, this book has a different structure or form from other textbooks you have studied.
Some people talk about different forms of music. In this book we would say they are talking about different styles or genres. In this chapter we’ll look at form in terms of the way a composition is structured. Most pieces are laid out in sections, and we will look at some examples of variety of ways composers have organized them.
Review Questions
- List as many forms as you can that were discussed in this chapter. Pick one that is used in classical music and explain how it works.
- Describe one of the classical pieces that was discussed and the form that it uses.
- What are the standard sections in a popular music song today? What is the function of each one?
- Does it help you follow along a song that has verses and choruses? Do you notice the bridge when it begins and appreciate the contrast it brings?
- What maintains your interest in hip-hop songs that don’t have much musical contrast between sections? How would you describe their form if they don’t have verses and choruses?
- Why do composers use repetition in their music? What is it like when they don’t?