One of the most common song formations is the strict rotation of verse and chorus with a bridge that transitions back to the chorus:Īnother common use of song form is to have two verses followed by a chorus with a bridge that transitions back to the verse: We will use V to denote verse, C chorus, and B for bridge to outline some possible combinations. The bridge is a tool composers use to give a song a texture or tonality change. A chorus is a section that repeats at musically appropriate intervals that can sometimes include the title of the song or an important phrase that ties the verses together. The verse is the literal bones of the song where the storytelling actually takes place. These terms are VERSE, CHORUS, and BRIDGE. However, we can also use other terms to define different sections of a song. Don’t forget we denote different sections with letters A,B, C… and so forth. This section will cover the most commonly used forms in Popular, Jazz, and Classical music. There are literally dozens of forms used by composers throughout music history. However, once we pass these two forms, we enter into a new area of formal structure that takes patience and time to be able to identify. The following example displays the format of ternary form with three distinct sections marked by the double bar line at the end of each staff.īinary and Ternary forms should be easy to figure out even for new students to music theory.

Some composers will add new melodic material in this section similar to the A section or in some instances a direct repeat of the A section. We call this format TERNARY for there are three distinct sections.

When the composer wishes to extend the melody, or has more to say within the music, they can add a third section to expand the composition. Even without rhythmic or notational reference one can compare the motion and amount of notes to discover the basic symmetry between two parts of the entire structure. Focus on how the two lines look graphically in reference to each other. The brackets designate two evenly spaced musical sentences or phrases. Demonstrated is a short melody divided into two parts. Both are evenly structured and have the same musical weight for symmetry which is important for the listener’s sense of closure in the short term and the long term. When we have a BINARY structure in music we refer to the first part as “A” and the second as “B”. The first and easiest form structure we study is called BINARY and means exactly what the word implies, something in two parts. This enables the performer to know when to stop or pause when musically accurate.

Composers will use rhythm and melody like a marker to outline different sections of their music. To truly be able to identify visually and aurally the different parts of form within a composition the theory student must be able to use the three major building blocks of melody, harmony, and rhythm. One of the most essential tools of music performers and theorists alike is the ability to identify formal structure in music construction.

Musical contexts form and structure