Sentences

More Examples

Sentences

1) Francis Johnson, No. 7, “Ford,” mm. 17–24

From A Collection of New Cotillons (1818)

Score: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: Youtube (9:01–9:12)

2) Joseph Bologne, String Quartet Op. 1, No. 1
Movt. 1, mm. 112–119 (1771)

Score: Image, PDF, MuseScore
Audio: Youtube (0:12–0:23)

3) Alan Menken, “Under the Sea,” mm. 21–28
From The Little Mermaid (1989), lyrics by Howard Ashman

Score: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: Youtube (0:35–0:45)

4) The Beatles, “Ticket to Ride,” chorus

From Help! (1965), written by John Lennon & Paul McCartney

Scores: Image, PDF, MuseScore, Braille
Audio: YouTube (0:21–0:38)

5) Laufey, “From the Start,” chorus

From Bewitched: The Goddess Edition (2024), written by Laufey and Spencer Stewart

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore, Braille
Audio: YouTube: 0:51–1:15

6) Duke Ellington & Billy Strayhorn, “Satin Doll,” mm. 1–7
Lyrics by Johnny Mercer (1953)

Score: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: Youtube (0:09–0:28)

7) Howard Shore, The Shire Theme (from "Rivendell")
From the film Fellowship of the Rings: Lord of the Rings (2001)

Score: Image, MuseScore
Audio: Youtube (1:03–1:29)

8) Nino Rota, “Main Theme” (Waltz), mm. 1–24
From the film The Godfather (1972)

Score: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: Youtube (0:39–1:22)

9) Rosamond Johnson, “Congo Love Song,” mm. 9–16
Words by J. W. Johnson. (1903)

Score: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: Youtube (0:06–0:31)

10) Elmer Bernstein, Main Theme
From the film Magnificent Seven (2016)

Score: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: Youtube (0:10–0:30)

11) Harry T. Burleigh, “A New Hidin' Place,” mm. 1–10
From the Southland Piano Sketches (1916)

Score: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: Youtube (0:00–0:38)

12) Vanessa Williams, “Colors of the Wind,” verse 1

Written by Alan Menken & Stephen Schwartz. From the film Pocahontas (1995).

Score: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: Youtube (0:23–0:47)

13) Chiquinha Gonzaga, “Choro Habanera” (Cubanita), mm. 21–28 (1898)

Score: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: Youtube (0:30–0:43)

14) Peggy Lee & Benny Goodman, “Why Don't You Do Right,” verse 1

From the film Stage Door Canteen (1943), written by Kansas Joe McCoy

Score: Image
Audio: Youtube (0:11–0:25)

15) Joseph Bologne, Andante, movt. 1, mm. 1–8

From Sonata for Flute and Harp in E flat (n. d. 1775–90 ca.)

Scores: Image. MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:32–0:51)

16) Louise Farrenc, “Mouvement de Valse,” No. 15, mm. 1–16

From 25 Etudes Faciles, Op. 50 (1876)

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: Youtube (0:00-0:11)

17) Rodgers & Hart, “You Took Advantage of Me,” mm. 1–8
From the musical Present Arms (1928), written by Richard Rodgers. Lyrics by Lorenz Hart. Performed by Katherine Evans.

Score: Image
Audio: Youtube (0:39–1:00)

18) Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II, “Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man,” mm. 1–8

From the musical Showboat (1927). Sung by Charlotte Church.

Score: Image
Audio: Youtube (1:31–1:55)

19) Rodgers & Hammerstein, “Something Wonderful,” refrain

From the musical The King and I (1951). Written by Richard Rodgers. Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II.

Scores: Image, MuseScore, PDF
Audio: Youtube (0:53–1:22)

20) Taylor Swift, “Love Story - You Belong with Me,” chorus

From Fearless (2008), written by Liz Rose & Taylor Swift

Scores: Image, MuseScore, PDF
Audio: Youtube (1:03–1:23)

21) ABBA, “The Winner Takes It All,” chorus

From Super Trouper (1980)

Score: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: Youtube (1:05–1:23)

22) Selena, “No Me Queda Mas,” chorus

From Amor Prohibido (1994), written by Ricky Vela

Scores: Image, PDF, MuseScore
Audio: Youtube (1:08–1:19)

23) Max Steiner, Main Theme

From the film The Informer (1935)

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: Youtube (X:XX–X:XX)

24) Taylor Swift, “Anti-Hero,” chorus

From Midnights (The Til Dawn Edition) (2023), written by Taylor Swift & Jack Antonoff

Scores: Image, MuseScore, PDF
Audio: Youtube (0:47–1:08)

25) Chappell Roan, “Good Luck, Babe!,” verse 1

From CR2* (2025), written by Chappell Roan, Justin Tranter & Dan Nigro

Scores: MuseScore, Image, PDF
Audio: Youtube (0:10–0:29)

26) The Beatles, “Now and Then,” verse 1

From the The Beatles 1967–1970 (2023 Edition) (2023), written by John Lennon, Paul McCartney & Lennon-McCartney

Scores: Image, MuseScore, PDF
Audio: Youtube (0:29–0:58)

27) Avril Lavigne, “Complicated,” verse

From Let Go (2002), words and music by Avril Lavigne, Lauren Christy, Scott Spock, and Graham Edwards

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
With Accompaniment: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: Youtube (0:32–0:56)

28) Bruno Mars, “When I Was Your Man,” chorus

From Unorthodox Jukebox (2013), written by Bruno Mars, Philip Lawrence, Ari Levine, Andrew Wyatt

Scores: Image, PDF, MuseScore
Audio: Youtube (1:01–1:29)

29) Britney Spears, “Why Should I Be Sad,” verse 1 and prechorus

From Blackout (2007), written by Pharrell Williams and Britney Spears

Audio: Youtube (0:01–0:49)

[Verse 1]

They couldn't believe I did it, but I was so committed

My life was so restricted for you (For you)

I just dove inside it blind, couldn't see what swam inside

Thought that'd be romantic for you

[Verse 2]

Exchanged my vows and said it all, on the ledge prepared to fall

Even screaming "damn it" for you (Remember?)

My friends said you would play me, but I just said they're crazy

While I was crying frantic, was it true?

30) Creedence Clearwater Revival, “Have You Ever Seen the Rain,” verse

From Pendulum (1971), written by John Fogerty

Score: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: Youtube (0:13–0:45)

31) Nino Rota, “Love Theme”

From the film The Godfather (1972)

Score: Image, PDF, MuseScore
Audio: Youtube (0:00–0:29)

32) ABBA, “Dancing Queen,” verse

From Arrival (1976), written by Benny Anderson, Stig Anderson, and Björn Ulvaeus

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
With Accompaniment: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: YouTube (0:45–1:04)

More Examples

Paula Maust, Expanding the Music Theory Canon: Period and Sentence
Garreth Broesche, "Repository of Period and Sentence Examples" (29-page handout)
Diverse Music Theory Examples: Periods and Sentences
Music By Women: Explore the Database (Click on the Form Filter on the left and search by phrase type.)
Yale Musical Examples Database: See the "Form" tab at the bottom.

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