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Word cloud derived from the sample answers of structure questions from past HSC examinations
What is structure?
What is structure?
Structure refers to the form of a composition.
It describes how sections of music are arranged, and how this creates a sense of coherence (unity) and development (contrast).
Most people would be familiar with some structure terminology such as introduction, verse, and chorus, as well as terms like A section, B section, and coda. Identifying different sections in a piece of music is a good start, however an analysis of structure can go further.
Some structures are so common that they have their own names, such as binary form, strophic form, or sonata form. This is sometimes referred to as macrostructure or form.
Structure can also refer to smaller musical elements within a section. Short musical building blocks such as figures and motifs are combined to create larger melodic and harmonic phrases. This is sometimes referred to as microstructure.
The term structure could even be used to conceptualise large-scale structures like the movements of a symphony, the track order of an album, or a set list at a live performance.
Answering a structure question
Answering a structure question
In a structure question you should:
Start by identifying the structure type (e.g. "This excerpt is in binary form")
List the sections, preferably in the form of headings ("A (bars 1-8)" and "B (bars 9-16)")
Use musicological vocabulary to describe the characteristics of each section and/or contrasts between these sections ("A: Flowing legato melody in C major, B: Contrasting staccato motif, now in the relative minor of A minor")
Unity and Contrast questions are structure questions.
Unity - What elements of the excerpt are repeated or stay similar throughout?
Contrast - What musical changes occur throughout the excerpt?
Questions to explore for contrast may include:
Is there a change of tonality/key?
Has the use of harmony changed?
Does the melody change? What instruments are introduced or removed? etc.
Macrostructure (aka form or overall structure)
Macrostructure (aka form or overall structure)
Strophic (AAA...) – Same music for each verse but often with different text/lyrics on each repetition. Common in nursery rhymes, children's songs, folk songs, and lieder.
Binary (AB) – Two sections, with each section being at least two phrases long. Both sections are generally repeated, such that the structure is often considered more accurately represented as AABB.
Ternary (ABA) – Three-part form in which each section can be considered as distinct and self-contained. Each section will have its own distinct themes, character and tonal centre
32-bar form (AABA) – A common form of Tin Pan Alley songs and other American popular music of the first half of the 20th century.
Each A section is 8 bars long and will repeat a similar chord progression and melody. However, there is likely to be different lyrics in each repeat of the A section
The contrasting B section is commonly referred to as the "middle-eight" and musically differs from the A section
Rondo (ABACA)
Seven-part rondo (ABACADA)
Fugue – Contrapuntal composition in which a subject (main theme played in the tonic key) is first introduced in one voice. An answer (main theme played in the dominant key) joins in a second voice, whilst the first voice explores new melodic material. This creates a polyphonic/contrapuntal texture. A third and fourth voice join in a similar manner, playing the subject and answer respectively. The piece then continues polyphonically, using fragments of the thematic material, a developing these ideas.
Ritornello – Alternates between ritornello section (main theme played tutti/by the whole orchestra) and episodes (solo sections played by a soloist or soloists)
Sonata-allegro form (Exposition, Development, Recapitulation)
Exposition (Primary theme, Transition, Secondary theme, Closing)
Development (Fragmentation of themes)
Recapitulation
Theme and variations
Through-composed – No repeated sections
Verse-chorus form/popular music terminology (may include: Introduction, Verse, Pre-chorus/Build, Chorus/Hook, Drop, Post-chorus, Refrain, Bridge, Middle-eight, Solo, Instrumental, Breakdown, Outro/Coda, Ad lib.)
Jazz terminology (may include: Head, Solos, Bridge, Turnaround, Shout chorus)
Microstructure
Microstructure
Figure (or figuration)
Motif
Theme
Phrase
Antecedent
Consequent
Cadence
Period
Additional terms
Additional terms
Aleatoric
Concerto
Symphony
Suite
Sonata
Etude
Aria
Allemande
Even larger structures
Even larger structures
Movement - A self-contained part of a larger musical work.
Homotonal - When all movements of a work are in the same key.
Song cycle - A group of individual songs, designed to be performed in a sequence.
Album sequence - The way in which songs on an album are ordered. This is usually a deliberate choice by the musicians and producers.
Set list - The way in which songs are ordered in a live performance. This is usually a deliberate choice by the musicians or managers.
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