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Musical Structure

Form is the structure or plan for a musical work or how individual elements are arranged to create the music.

As you listen to a piece of music, you may begin to notice that it has different sections. In fact, most songs on the radio have verses, which are usually the same music with different words, and a chorus, which is different music than the verse but the chorus is repeated throughout the song with the same words. 

In music form, there are three basic tools a composer uses in song creation:  

  • repetition,
  • variation, and
  • contrast.

Repetition: Refers to a section of music that is exactly like another section of music. The repetition of a phrase reinforces the melody and makes the listener more acquainted with it.

Variation: Refers to a section of music that resembles another section of music with slight differences. Variation in a section of music is different, but it can still be traced back to the original theme in some way.

Contrast: Refers to a section of music that is different from other sections. Contrast adds interest to a piece of music.

Let's look at this concept of form as it relates to music. In music, the different sections are referred to as letters.

  • For example, the first section of music would be referred to as A.
  • If the next section is a variation on the first section, it would be referred to as A' (called A prime).
  • However, if the next section was completely different, it would be referred to as B, the next letter of the alphabet.
  • If another section of music is completely different than the A or B section it would be referred to as the C section.

The following chart shows some common song forms and examples.

Musical Form Song Examples
AAA "Old MacDonald Had a Farm" and "Amazing Grace"
ABA Jimmy Buffet's "Margaritaville" and The Eagles' "Hotel California"
AABA The Beatles' "Yesterday"
AABC "The Star Spangled Banner"

A different way of seeing how form is used in a song could be to use shapes instead of letters. For example:

  • A can be represented by a square
  • B can be represented by a circle
  • C can be represented by a triangle

Let's see how we can apply the use of shapes for form on the following songs:

Musical Form Song Examples
AAA
three red squares		 "Old MacDonald Had a Farm" and "Amazing Grace"
ABA
red square, blue circle, red square		 Jimmy Buffet's "Margaritaville" and The Eagles' "Hotel California"
AABA
red square, red square, blue circle, red square		 The Beatles' "Yesterday"
AABC red square, red square, blue circle, yellow triangle "The Star Spangled Banner"

Think about each of these songs and their sections (represented by the different shapes). Now, think about "The Star-Spangled Banner." It's form is AABC. How would we show this with shapes? In the chart above, roll your mouse over the form for "The Star-Spangled Banner" to check your answer!

 

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