Form
Structural terms describing how music is organised and arranged.
25 terms
AriaformA self-contained piece for solo voice with instrumental accompaniment, typically…AttaccaformProceed to the next movement without pause.Binary FormformA two-part musical structure (AB)CadenzaformA virtuosic solo passage, often improvised, near the end of a movement.CodaformA concluding passage that brings a piece or movement to an end.ConcertoformA large-scale composition for solo instrument and orchestra, typically in three …FineformThe end; the point at which the piece concludes.FugueformA contrapuntal composition in which a subject is introduced and developed throug…IntermezzoformA piece played between other compositions or acts.MovementformA self-contained section within a larger multi-part composition such as a sympho…OstinatoformA persistently repeated musical pattern or phrase.OvertureformAn orchestral introduction played before an opera, oratorio, or suite beginsPhraseformA complete musical thought, analogous to a sentence in spoken language.PreludeformAn introductory piece of music that precedes a larger work or stands as an indep…RecitativoformA vocal style imitating natural speech rhythms.RondoformA form in which a principal theme alternates with contrasting episodesScherzoformA joke; a lively, often humorous movement.SinfoniaformA symphony or orchestral introduction — a large-scale work for full orchestra in…Sonata FormformA large-scale musical structure based on exposition, development, and recapitula…Strophic FormformA song structure where the same music repeats for each verse with different lyri…SuiteformA collection of short movements grouped together, often based on dance forms or …Ternary FormformA three-part musical structure (ABA)Theme and VariationsformA form in which a theme is stated and then altered through a series of variation…Through-ComposedformA song structure where the music changes continuously without repeating sections…VoltaformTurn; used in repeat structures (prima volta, seconda volta).
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