Two Shapes of Musical Form

In the picture

1. 1Section A: the opening music, the first idea we hear
2. 2Section B: contrasting music that follows A in a two-part (AB) form
3. 3Section B in a three-part form: the contrast in the middle of ABA
4. 4Section A returns: the opening music comes back to close ABA

Examples

• A minuet and trio from a classical symphony, where the minuet comes back after the trio (ABA)
• A song whose verse is followed by a different chorus, with nothing returning (AB)

Quiz: Two Shapes of Musical Form (Age 14)

1. 1

   Which description fits a piece in ternary (ABA) form?

   • Two contrasting sections, and the piece ends on B
   • Three different sections, none of which comes back
   • Three sections, with the first one coming back at the end
2. 2

   How can you hear the form of a piece of music?

   • By noticing when the music changes and when an earlier section returns
   • By noticing how loud the piece is overall
   • By counting how many instruments play at once
3. 3

   A piece starts with one tune, then switches to a contrasting tune and ends there. What form is it?

   • Binary form (AB)
   • One section only
   • Ternary form (ABA)

The answers, each with its explanation, are in the app. This lesson has left the free week, so its quiz is part of the subscription.