Music - Forms

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Binary Form

This structure is where the piece of music is divided into 2 different sections. They are usually known as A and B. Between these two sections there is a contrast, which is usually shown by a key change (although not always). There are two main types of Binary form: Simple Binary Form and Rounded Binary Form.

Simple Binary Form

There is an A section followed by a B section in a different key and both sections are usually repeated. It follows a pattern:

A section in Major Key to B section in Dominant Key

A section in Minor Key to B section in Relative Major Key

Examples of a simple Binary form are usually Baroque dances, including the sarabande, allemande, gigue, minuet, bouree and the courante.

Rounded Binary Form

This is very similar to the simple Binary form, but with some differences. Here, Section B is usually longer than Section A and a part of A is repeated again at the end of B.

A to B (a)

This was very common in the Classical period of music. It was often used as the structure of the theme in a set of theme and variations.

Composing using Binary Form

brings a sense of contrast to the piece

good foundation:

can make Ternary Form

can make Rondo Form