Lesson Plan

 

1.  In our last lesson we talked about how there are several ways to organize musical Sections to create different musical Forms.  However, we did not

     really talk about these different Forms, just how to label the Sections with letters.  Therefore, today we will begin talking about the most common

     Forms found in music.  

 

 

2.  The first Form will we be discussing is called Binary Form.

 

Definition:  Binary Form has two contrasting sections of music within the overall composition, A B.

 

        

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

           A                                                                                          B

 

 

    While Binary Form is characterised as having A B sections, most composers repeat each of these sections in some fashion. Examples include: 

 

-  A B A B A B

-  A B A' B' A'' B''   

-  A A B B  

-  A A' B B'  

 

     Obviously there are slight variations with the letters that can be used; however, it is important to note that Binary Form will always alternate

     between the two Sections.

 

 

 

3.  Let's take a listen to some music that is in Binary Form. For each piece of music, please decide if you think these should be labeled strictly A B

     (A B A B...) or A B A' B' A'' B'', A A B B, A A' B B' etc. to more accurately describe the music.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.   Many larger forms incorporate or share certain characteristics with Binary Form.  These will be discussed in later lessons.