Song Form
Song form refers to dividing a song up into different musical sections
This is similar to Rhythm in that we are dividing a song into smaller pieces : Concerning rhythm, We are dividing a song up into a serious of Bars/Measures and Beats. Each bar has a set numerical value of beats that comprise (fill up) that bar. The Numerical Value is defined by the time signature.
With Song form, we are dividing a song up into larger sections that differ musically in some way - These could be things like (but not limited to) ; Different instrumentation, different lyrics, Different Texture, Different Chord progression , etc.
We can always HEAR and audible difference in sections of a form.
Section 1 sounds different than Section 2
There will often be repeated sections of songs (think of the chorus of a song) that sound the same both musically and lyrically - In many ways song form is a play between repeated material and new material
This goes back to the concept of familiarity and contrast!
This is similar to Rhythm in that we are dividing a song into smaller pieces : Concerning rhythm, We are dividing a song up into a serious of Bars/Measures and Beats. Each bar has a set numerical value of beats that comprise (fill up) that bar. The Numerical Value is defined by the time signature.
With Song form, we are dividing a song up into larger sections that differ musically in some way - These could be things like (but not limited to) ; Different instrumentation, different lyrics, Different Texture, Different Chord progression , etc.
We can always HEAR and audible difference in sections of a form.
Section 1 sounds different than Section 2
There will often be repeated sections of songs (think of the chorus of a song) that sound the same both musically and lyrically - In many ways song form is a play between repeated material and new material
This goes back to the concept of familiarity and contrast!
Think about the project last class - You were to create project with an intro of JUST your chord progression for 4 or 8 bars, followed by a section where have a melody and a rhythm along with that chord progression.
These would be 2 different sections of a song !!
Think about how they are AUDIBLY different - we have new musical material (melody) and new instrumentation (texture) with the added instruments.
An intro is a common musical device !!!
These would be 2 different sections of a song !!
Think about how they are AUDIBLY different - we have new musical material (melody) and new instrumentation (texture) with the added instruments.
An intro is a common musical device !!!
Recognizing Different Sections
The intro is the easiest section to identify. It is always at the beginning of a piece and is always different from the rest of the piece (many times it is Instrumental)
When we get into the middle of a song where we are switching back and forth between sections it can be more difficult.
Remember, we are listening for both REPETITION and things that are DIFFERENT Musically and Lyrically between the different sections.
Lets start with a song we all know....
When we get into the middle of a song where we are switching back and forth between sections it can be more difficult.
Remember, we are listening for both REPETITION and things that are DIFFERENT Musically and Lyrically between the different sections.
Lets start with a song we all know....
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SECTION 2 : 8 BARS REPEATED
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Notice how the song is divided EVENLY into 8 Bar sections!!
Four Sections of 8 - a totally of 32 bars (32 bar song form is common)
It is most common to see a song divided into even sections - If you heard a song with all 7 and 5 bar sections your ear would catch it immediately!
We get relatively little repletion in this song - with the exception of the first 8 bars repeated musically
Another 32 Bar song....
Four Sections of 8 - a totally of 32 bars (32 bar song form is common)
It is most common to see a song divided into even sections - If you heard a song with all 7 and 5 bar sections your ear would catch it immediately!
We get relatively little repletion in this song - with the exception of the first 8 bars repeated musically
Another 32 Bar song....
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This song is Also divided in to 4 8 bar sections, but we get more repetition
Section 1 : "I See Trees...." - 8 bars Sections 2 : "I See Skies...." 8 Bars repeated Section 3: 'The Colors" 8 Bars new material Section 4: " I Hear Babies " 8 bars fro first 2 section We see much more repetition i this than the Star Spangled Banner - we really only get 2 distinct sections with one of them repeating 3 times! |
8 Bars 'A' Section - Repeat 8 Bars 'A' Section - New 'B' Section - Repeat 8 Bars 'A' Section
Known Simply as :
AABA
Sometimes we use letters to signify the different sections
For example - for our garage band project last class - we had an intro then melody - 2 different sections
this would be : AB
Forms with only 2 parts are called BINARY form
Known Simply as :
AABA
Sometimes we use letters to signify the different sections
For example - for our garage band project last class - we had an intro then melody - 2 different sections
this would be : AB
Forms with only 2 parts are called BINARY form
Hymns are a great example of songs with one musical verse with multiple sets of lyrics
Songs that only consist of one musical section with many sets of lyrics over it are called STROPHIC
Songs that only consist of one musical section with many sets of lyrics over it are called STROPHIC
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Jesus Christ is Risen
2. repeat same 4 Bars 3. 4 Bars New material 4. repeat opening 4 Bars
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Strophic Form can be seen in many Folk Songs....
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Strophic form in Pop Music.....
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Strophic Form Emphasizes REPETITION!!
Hymns are meant to be easy to sing for a congregation of people with varying musical skill..... Folk songs are meant to be easy to sing for children and to teach my rote..
These would be really easy to whistle along to because there is only one section repeated many times over (with different words)
AAAA
Remember that the length of sections can be different depending on the song (micheal row your boat had very short sections, while walk the line was longer), Strophic simply specifies that the one section is repeated over and over
Hymns are meant to be easy to sing for a congregation of people with varying musical skill..... Folk songs are meant to be easy to sing for children and to teach my rote..
These would be really easy to whistle along to because there is only one section repeated many times over (with different words)
AAAA
Remember that the length of sections can be different depending on the song (micheal row your boat had very short sections, while walk the line was longer), Strophic simply specifies that the one section is repeated over and over
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Daft punk Tune
Sometimes there are less sections / less repetition in forms. Section 1 : Instrumental Intro - 00:00 - 1:15
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In Classical Music
Much of classical music is small sections of melody that recur and are repeated/tweaked in different way
SONATA ALLEGRO FORM
In Classical Music we have specific names for the sections:
Exposition (This section gets repeated 2x)
Development
Recapitulation (recap)
Coda
Exposition (This section gets repeated 2x)
Development
Recapitulation (recap)
Coda
Pop Music is Largely Dominated by Verse / Chorus form
These are what we call the sections in popular music instead of Exposition Recap etc.
These are what we call the sections in popular music instead of Exposition Recap etc.
Verse : Same Music with Different Lyrics
Chorus : Repeated Music / Repeated lyrics we hear recur throughout the song
Sometimes we get a Bridge:
Bridge : New material both lyrically and musically (generally in the middle)
Chorus : Repeated Music / Repeated lyrics we hear recur throughout the song
Sometimes we get a Bridge:
Bridge : New material both lyrically and musically (generally in the middle)
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Rollin in the Deep
Intro : 00:00 - 00:04 Verse 1: 00:04 - 0:58 Chorus : 0:58 - 1:15 Verse 2 : 1:15 - 1:52 Chorus : 1:52 - 2:30 Verse 3: 2:30-3:05 Chorus : 3:05 - End This is an example of a Binary form (because there are only 2 main sections) |
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Things we are listening for in different sections:
Different Words, Different Music, Different Instrumentation
Different Words, Different Music, Different Instrumentation
Let's see if we can point out the different sections in these songs
Pay attention to the TIME and write down a time stamp every time we hear new material or a change in section
Pay attention to the TIME and write down a time stamp every time we hear new material or a change in section
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