1. Form In Music

2. Form Form. = Formula / Format A “recipe” for how to put your product together

3. Form as a Recipe Usually starts out with the main course, and the rest of the meal is created around that. What will complement (complete) it? What should I avoid? How much should I make?

4. Form as a Recipe For music, it’s the theme that is the primary focus, and the rest of the composition is built around that, asking the same questions: What will complement (complete) it? What should I avoid? How long should it be?

5. Repetition Variation Contrast Music is heard in sections. Each section is a response to the previous section.

6. Section Beat = steady pulse Meter = divided by 2, 3, or 4 (usually) “Bar” = a measure. One count to 4 (or 2 or 3, depends on the meter) Phrase = usually an even number of “bars” Phrases are joined to form a section.

7. Section New sections usually start on beat 1 of a new bar. Rock and commercial music will often announce a new section with a drum fill (ending with a crash cymbal), guitar build-up, and/or a bass “walk” that leads into it. Your ear can learn to hear and even predict when this happens

8. Section “Classical” or “Art” music will often have a new section starting on beat 1 also. Phrases are usually even lengths in bars. A new section is sometimes set up by a full cadence (resting place), but isn’t always a big announcement.

9. Section Vocal music will often follow the same types of cues, but will have the addition of lyrics to help identify new sections.

10. Analyzing for Form Is there an introduction? If so, note that The first proper section will be given the label A. (an introduction is usually just identified but not labeled) Determine when the next section begins Count number of bars or phrases to see if it “feels” right

11. Analyzing for Form After the A section, listen to see what label follows. A if it is an exact repetition A1 or A’ if it is a variation (new lyrics) B if it is a contrast, with different melody, harmony, groove, rhyme scheme, etc.

12. Analyzing for Form Form requires you to REMEMBER what you have previously heard. Often, you must listen repeatedly to decide what is happening!