1. The Military March Form

2. The Military March Form
All Military Marches Have:
Different Sections – Called Strains
Several separate melodies
A contrasting section – called the Trio

3. The Military March Form
Sections of a March:
Introduction
First Strain
Second Strain
Introduction to the Trio (Optional)
Trio
Breakstrain (also called “dogfight”)
Grandioso (Trio Melody)

4. Introduction Military March Form Also called a Fanfare
Usually 4, 8, or 16 measures long
Usually in a Marcato Style
Sections of a March:
Introduction
First Strain
Second Strain
Introduction to the Trio (Optional)
Trio
Breakstrain (also called “dogfight”)
Grandioso (Trio Melody)

5. First Strain Military March Form Usually 8 or 16 measures long
Often 4 measure phrases
Repeats – sometimes with an added COUNTERMELODY
Sections of a March:
Introduction
First Strain
Second Strain
Introduction to the Trio (Optional)
Trio
Breakstrain (also called “dogfight”)
Grandioso (Trio Melody)

6. Second Strain Military March Form Usually 16 measures long
Second primary melody that is heard
Melody often played by the low instruments
Sections of a March:
Introduction
First Strain
Second Strain
Introduction to the Trio (Optional)
Trio
Breakstrain (also called “dogfight”)
Grandioso (Trio Melody)

7. Introduction to the Trio
Military March Form
Introduction
to the Trio
Not always included
Might be a percussion soli
Sections of a March:
Introduction
First Strain
Second Strain
Introduction to the Trio (Optional)
Trio
Breakstrain (also called “dogfight”)
Grandioso (Trio Melody)

8. Trio Military March Form Sections of a March: Introduction
Most contrasting section
Often played by the woodwinds
Third primary melody that is heard (often thought of as being the “main melody” of the march)
Almost always changes key signature
If the first key is MAJOR it usually adds one flat
If the first key is MINOR it usually changes to the relative or parallel major key
Why do you think this section is called the trio?
Sections of a March:
Introduction
First Strain
Second Strain
Introduction to the Trio (Optional)
Trio
Breakstrain (also called “dogfight”)
Grandioso (Trio Melody)

9. Breakstrain (Dogfight)
Military March Form
Breakstrain (Dogfight)
A “break” between the first time the trio is heard and the last section where the trio melody is heard again
Loud, Intense, Marcato
Usually sounds like a “conversation” between the higher instruments and the lower instruments
Why do you think it is called the “dogfight” section?
Sections of a March:
Introduction
First Strain
Second Strain
Introduction to the Trio (Optional)
Trio
Breakstrain (also called “dogfight”)
Grandioso (Trio Melody)

10. Grandioso Military March Form The trio melody is heard again
Usually much louder than the previous time the trio melody was heard
Sometimes adds another “countermelody”
Sections of a March:
Introduction
First Strain
Second Strain
Introduction to the Trio (Optional)
Trio
Breakstrain (also called “dogfight”)
Grandioso (Trio Melody)

11. Stars and Stripes Forever
Military March Form
Example:
Stars and Stripes Forever
Introduction: 0:00 – 0:08
First Strain: 0:08 – 0:40
Second Strain: 0:40 – 1:08
Trio: 1:08 – 1:38
Break (dogfight): 1:38 – 2:02
Trio (w/ added countermelody): 2:02 – 2:32
Repeat of Dogfight: 2:32 – 2:55
Grandioso (trio melody w/ countermelody): 2:55 - End
Sections of a March:
Introduction
First Strain
Second Strain
Introduction to the Trio (Optional)
Trio
Breakstrain (also called “dogfight”)
Grandioso (Trio Melody)