Unit 3-2: Sentences & Periods

Lesson Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

Define each of the following terms and describe how they contribute to phrase structure: musical sentence, parallel period, contrasting period, compound period, antecedent, consequent, basic idea, and continuation.
Identify examples in the repertoire of sentences and periods. Analyze their component parts, including the period's antecedent and consequent, the sentence's basic idea/presentation, repetition of the idea, and the continuation.
Diagram phrase structures using lowercase letters (e.g. a, a', b, b').
Compose an example of a sentence and parallel period, given the first couple of measures.

Preparation for Class

Read:

"Sentence and Periods" (Mount, Fundamentals, Function, and Form)
- - Pay attention to the following vocabulary words. Jot down a brief definition of each while you read: sentence, parallel period, contrasting period, double period, antecedent, consequent, basic idea, presentation, continuation, fragmentation.
  - For now, don't worry about the distinction between modulating and non-modulating periods.
"Phrases and Periods" (Timothy Rolls)
Optional: For a deeper dive and a different take on period structure compare Mount's explanation above with Caplin's in Analyzing Form.
- - "The Sentence" (Caplin, Analyzing Form) - Read just pp. 33–37
  - "The Period" (Caplin, Analyzing Form) - Read just pp. 73–85

Watch

Phrases and Periods
(2-Min Music Theory, 3 mins)

The Musical Sentence
(Art of Composing, 7 mins)

Optional
Musical Phrases and Cadences
(Sean Atkinson, 22 mins)

Study Aids

Sentence Structure Diagram and Musical Example
Image Sources: Top Image: Elliott Hauser, "The Sentence." Bottom image: Forest & Santa, "A Taxonomy of Sentence Structures"

This is a diagram of a sentence phrase structure. The top bracket reads “sentence”. The next two brackets are divided equally under the top bracket. They read left to right: “presentation” and “continuation”. The next two brackets are divided equally under the presentation bracket. They read “BI” and “BI” which stands for Basic Idea. After the second BI, between the Presentation and Continuation, there is “no cadence” labeled. At the end of the continuation, there are three cadence options: PAC, HC, or IAC. Under all the brackets is a horizontal line divided into 8 parts equally, representing a standard number of measures for this phrase structure.

This is a sentence phrase structure shown in John Williams’s There from Superman. The first two measures show the basic idea, the next two measures show this repeated, the next measure shows the development, and then last two show the cadential idea. This ends with and IAC (Vsus-I).

Period Structure Diagram and Musical Example
Images: Top Image: "Diagram of a Typical Period," Bottom Image: Two parallel periods in Greensleeves. Both from "Period (Music)" in Wikipedia.

This is a diagram of a period phrase structure. The top bracket reads “period”. The next two brackets are divided equally under the top bracket. They read left to right: “phrase 1” and “phrase 2”. At the end of the phrase 1, there are two cadence options: HC or IAC (incomplete). At the end of the phrase 2, there are two cadence options: IAC or PAC (complete).

This is the first 16 bars of Greensleeves. There are two 8-bar phrases which make two periods. Together, these make what's called a "double-period". The first phrase is broken up into phrase a, which ends with a half-cadence in measure 4, and phrase a’ which ends with an Authentic-cadence in measure 8. The second phrase is broken up into phrase b, which ends with a half-cadence in measure 12, and phrase b’ which ends with an Authentic-cadence in measure 16.

Pre-Class Assignment

Assignment 2-3

In-Class Activities

Discussion

Definitions: What are the defining characteristics of parallel periods, contrasting periods, and sentences? Compare and contrast each and describe the component parts (e.g. antecedent, basic idea, continuation, etc.). Create a pictorial diagram for each structure that labels each of these components and where cadences occur.
- - Think through some folk songs and other songs you're currently playing or listening to. Try to come up with one example for each category.
Perceptual Effects: While exploring examples in the anthology, consider how different types of phrase structure influence our perception of music. How do the different structures affect our perception of stability or tension, balance, contrast, and musical pacing? How do they present and/or develop melodic and rhythmic material differently?
Phrase Structure and Performance: How might an understanding of phrase structure impact the way a performer interprets a piece? What choices might a performer make based on the phrasing of a composition?
- - Can you think of ways that a performer might use expressive devices like dynamics, articulation, tempo, or breathing to enhance or communicate phrase structure?
  - In jazz performance, how do musicians use rhythmic and melodic phrasing to interact and engage with each other? How does this influence the overall dynamics and improvisational conversation within the ensemble?

Activities

Composing Sentences & Periods: Work as a class or in groups. The instructor or a member of your group selects an example of a parallel period, contrasting period, or a sentence from the anthology examples at Expanding the Canon (click the links to navigate to each section of the site). Your group leader then announces the type of phrase structure and reveals only the first phrase if the example is a period, and only the basic idea if it is a sentence. Your task it to try to complete the sentence or period, getting as close to the original composition as possible. When you're done, compare and play your solutions alongside the original.

Repertoire for Practice

Phrase Structure Analysis: Flip through the examples in the anthology and identify each as a sentence, parallel period, or contrasting period. Then analyze each phrase:
- - Identify the key and the cadences by type where they occur. Add Roman numerals for the cadential chord(s).
  - Label the component parts of the phrase structure. If it's an example of a period, label the antecedent and the consequent. If it's a sentence, label the basic idea, the repetition, and the continuation and cadence.
  - For examples that incorporate more than one phrase, create a phrase diagram that shows the relationship between the phrases using lowercase letters (i.e. a, a', b, b').
  - How is the motivic material developed or varied?
For additional examples, see the Repository of Periods and Sentences here.

Anthology Sections:

Sentences

Periods

NEXT STEP

Next Lesson: Other Phrase Structures

Want to learn more?

Fred Lerdahl, "Musical Syntax and its Relation to Linguistic Syntax"

Lerdahl is a composer and theorist known for his work on musical grammar, cognition, and rhythmic theory. This 90-minute lecture summarizes some of the main points on musical and linguistic syntax by a leading expert in the field.

Optional Additional Practice

Musition: Phrase Structures & Form (Lvl 1–2)
Auralia: Phrase Structure & Form (Lvl 1–2)

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