Common Forms

Music theory, explained with Oreos

Theory Things William Wieland

Popular Music	12-bar Blues I - I - I - I,  IV - IV - I - I,  V - IV - I - I Song Form a a b a (B is the bridge.) Strophic Form Every verse uses the same music (Verse = Strophe = Stanza) Verse / Refrain Verse 1 • Refrain • Verse 2 • Refrain • (etc.)
Classical Music	Binary Form A B Ternary Form A B A' (Binary, Ternary & Rounded Binary Compared) Rounded Binary Form A B Sonata Form Exposition Development Recapitulation Rondo Form A B A C A  American Sign Language Alphabet Theme and Variations A  A' A''... Bar Form A A B
Multi-movement Sonata (Not only sonatas, but other works like string quartets and symphonies often follow this model.) 1st movement Allegro Tonic Sonata Form (but other forms are possible including Theme & Variations) 2nd movement Slow Not Tonic Many forms are possible including Binary, Ternary, Rounded Binary and Sonata 3rd movement Dance Not Tonic Compound Ternary (usually Minuet & Trio or Scherzo & Trio) 4th movement Fast Tonic Rondo Form (Sonata-Rondo or Sonata Form are also possible)