Binary Form:
Two sections: A - B, usually as follows:
- The A section starts in the Tonic and ends in the Dominant / Relative Major
- The B section starts in the Dominant / Relative Major and ends in the Tonic
Ternary Form:
Three sections: A - B - A
- The second A section can be a da capo, or it may be a slight variation of the first A section
Rondo:
A recurring theme (A) interspersed with contrasting sections: A-B-A-C-A-D-A-E-A.......
- The A section may either be exactly repeated, or it may be varied
Sonata Form / First Movement Sonata Form:
(Applies only to the first movement of a 3 or 4 movement Sonata):
Exposition:
- First Subject (Tonic)
- Bridge Passage (leads to the Dominant or Relative Major)
- Second Subject (Dominant / Relative Major)
- Coda / Codetta (ends in Dominant / Relative Major).... Double barline/repeat
Development:
- Uses material from the Exposition, and / or introduces new material
- Free form, starting in Dominant / Rel. Major, leading back to the Tonic
Recapitulation:
- First Subject (Tonic)
- Bridge Passage (remains in Tonic)
- Second Subject (Tonic)
- Coda / Codetta (ends in Tonic).... Double barline (end)
Sonata:
A large work in 3 or 4 movements, usually as follows:
- Fast (Sonata form)
- Slow (Binary form)
- Minuet & Trio or Scherzo & Trio (optional movement)
- Fast (Rondo)
Sonatina: A small sonata, written in the same form
Minuet: A Dance movement in triple time, Binary form
Minuet and Trio: Minuet (binary) - Trio (binary) - Minuet da capo. Overall form: Ternary
Toccata: A display piece for solo keyboard (from Italian toccare, "to touch")
Toccatina: A small Toccata
Canon: The same melody payed in different parts, begun succesively so tht the imitations overlap
Fugue: A complex, contrapuntal piece in 3 or more intertwining voices
Study:
A "learning" piece, designed to improve specific areas of technique or musicality
- examples of challenges are: balance between hands, dynamics, articulation, scales, arpeggios, broken chords, Alberti bass, fast playing, legato, staccato, double octaves........
- no specific form, but most commonly Binary or Ternary
