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Musical Form - Repetition and Variation Again!

1/23/2012

5 Comments

 
Picture"Honeysuckle" © 2008 Helen Miranda Wilson
One of my favorite days when I'm teaching a music theory class is when I ask my students to define "music". How do we pare music down to its essence and find a common definition that we can agree upon and that will apply to any style? What a challenge! 
First it is usually agreed that music is sound. But how does it differ from noise or random sounds? We then usually agree that music is sound that is intentionally organized using various elements. The most apparent of those elements are melody, harmony and rhythm. A more elusive element to discern is form, and it is present in all music.
Music occurs in time, so the beginning and ending moments provide the overall framework. At the very least the music will have a beginning and an end. Some music is what we call "through-composed" without having sections that repeat. It simply will begin at one moment in time, and end at another.  
But most music that we hear consists of sections that repeat mixed with sections of contrast. It's common to label each section with a letter to indicate the form. Some common forms are: ABA, AABA, ABACADA (etc.), AB (or verse-chorus). And there can be smaller forms within the overall form. And within the forms and subforms are melodies, harmonies and rhythms that repeat and vary, further adding structure to the music. 
Melody, harmony, rhythm and form. As you listen to music try to become aware of and identify its formal structure. What are the sections that repeat? What are the sections that are varied? You'll find it in music from pop songs to symphonies. 
Happy listening!

A note from artist Helen Miranda Wilson: "You know that tune 'Honeysuckle Rose'? It came on the radio while I was making that painting. Plus the honeysuckle was blooming in the back yard. Its scent was wafting through the window. Repetition and variation: it's all I do, for years now. It's what breathing is."

5 Comments
learning piano at home link
8/5/2013 05:40:28 pm

Violin notes are written in the same format as all sheet music--with a slight twist. Notes played on the violin are written only in the treble clef, and numbers indicating which finger to use are often written above certain notes. With a little practice and proper finger positioning, reading violin music is easier than it looks. Thanks a lot.

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click here link
9/8/2013 07:25:41 pm

I love music and I studies guitar during my school days. It is great to know that you are a music teacher and I do agree with you that music is sound. Thanks for sharing this with us and keep posting more updates in your blog.

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Check These Guys Out link
10/2/2013 08:53:05 am

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Calvin Fuller link
1/1/2021 08:59:12 pm

Great readingg your blog post

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Atascocita Carpenters link
10/2/2022 03:44:08 pm

Thanks for a great read

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    Author

    Bruce Abbott

    I am often asked questions about my music such as "What is this composition about?" and "What inspired this piece?" 
    To answer these questions I have created a blog feature called "Inside the Music". Each entry includes a photo or two, some information about the composition, and a link to hear the music. I hope you enjoy them.
    As always, thanks for listening!
    ​Bruce


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