Variation Ternary Sequence

Section A Section B Section A Repetition of a melodic or harmonic phrase in the same part, but
Theme Variation 1 Variation 2 Variation 3
This could be in a Some ways in which the theme could be transformed are: The initial ideas A contrasting Either an exact at a higher or lower pitch
certain structure – • Decoration and embellishment are introduced. section that is repeat or
perhaps binary or • A change of instrumentation, tempo, key, harmony, This section sometimes slightly altered
ternary. metre or rhythm usually ends known as an version of the
• Developing the theme using a variety of devices such with a perfect episode. first section.
as imitation, inversion, sequence, diminution or cadence in the
augmentation tonic key.
• Presenting the theme at a different pitch
• Developing harmonies and rhythms without a tune
• Introducing additional or new melodies Arpeggio/Broken Chord Imitation
• Varying the style
When the notes of a chord are played A contrapuntal device, when a
Rondo separately in succession melodic idea is copied in
Section A Section B Section A Section C Section A another part
This presents the
main theme in the
This is a contrasting
section in a related
Main theme in the
tonic key, although
A second
contrasting section.
Main theme in the
tonic key.
Motif
tonic key. key containing the section may be A short,
different ideas. varied or shorter.
musical idea,
melodic or
rhythmic
Minuet & Trio
Minuet Trio Minuet
Repetition
Section A Section B Section A Section B Section A Section B
When sounds,
(repeated) (repeated) (repeated) (repeated) Played without repeats
sequences, melodies
or rhythms are
Binary repeated
Section A Section B
Starts in the tonic key Starts in the same key
but modulates to a as the end of section A
related key (usually the but the music works it
dominant) at the end of way back to the tonic. It
the section. This section is usually longer than
is usually unfinished the A section but
when played on its own. balances the piece.

Romantic Ornamentation
Baroque Classical Decorate or embellish the
Simple melodies, ornaments, Balanced, regular phrases, functional Melodies were lyrical, distinct music. Popular examples
terraced dynamics, energetic and harmony, wider range of dynamics, thematic ideas, leitmotifs, expressive, of ornaments are
relentless rhythmic movement, major/minor, focus on piano, elegant and graceful richer harmonies with chromaticism, more trills, mordents
and turns.
keys, mainly string instruments with some ‘symmetrical’ style, frequent changes of variation in dynamics, rhythms and creative
woodwind, use of the harpsichord, basso continuo. mood and timbre, alberti bass. freedom, programmatic music, larger brass section.
Bach, Handel, Vivaldi, Corelli, Lully, Purcell Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven Schubert, Mendelssohn, Chopin, Schumann, Wagner
 In Jazz & Blues, the drummer keeps a steady beat. The Key features in most jazz bands are: the instruments, use
bass player lays down a ‘groove’ and supports the
Jazz & Blues of improvisation, the pentatonic scale, head arrangement,
improvisation sections. The keyboard player comps and 12-bar blues melodic riffs, blues notes, use of the blues scale, call
Baroque improvises the chords whilst the other instruments and response and jazz virtuoso with solo sections.
Basso Continuo Improvise virtuosic
Head arrangement Musicals use
Double bass and various vocal
solos.
Harpsichord providing ensembles which are
harmony known as the chorus. This
features multiple vocal parts
like Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Bass.

Classic Modern
Classical Blues band Jazz band There are
String Quartet various instrumental
2 Violina, a viola & cello. ensembles that
Romantic 4 movements. accompany the singers
String Quartets with a piano. onstage.
Experimentation with different Large-scale musicals can use a full
combinations of instruments to improve orchestra of musicians, but smaller
tone quality and overall sound. shows may only use a small rock band

Sonority Texture Ensemble

A small group of Individual tone colour or tone Monophonic Single melodic line or parts A group of performers, usually
Classical quality. The tone colour of different together in unison between 2 and 8. Examples include: basso
musicians. combinations of instruments can result Homophonic One melody heard with an continuo, string quartet, jazz and blues trios, a
in very different effects. It is its relative loudness accompaniment of chords
rhythm section and vocal ensembles (duets, trios,
and ‘feel’ compared with other sounds. Polyphonic A number of melodies heard at backing vocals).
once, like imitation & counterpoint
 RHYTHMIC Dotted Tempo Leitmotif
Diminution
DEVICES rhythms Allegro – fast/lively A short musical theme or idea linked with a character, object, place or idea.
Andante – walking pace
Adagio – slowly
Thematic Transformation
Syncopation Constant beats Polyrhythms • Add or subtract from the idea
Accelerando – gradually getting faster
• Change the instrumentation
Ritardando – gradually getting slower • Change the pitch, dynamics, tempo or note-values
Long-held Rubato – not sticking to time, free • Use inversion, augmentation or diminution
Hemiola Augmentation
notes
Use of dynamics • Alter some of the musical characteristics
• Vary the texture
Harmony Different timbres • Change the key
Balanced Vary textures Minimalism
Diatonic – chords that phrases Small cells of music
Tonality
relate to specific keys. Balance gradually evolving to
between A climactic
Chromatic – chords steps and point create a hypnotic effect.
leaps
that are not in the key. Pedal notes
Dissonant – chords Melody A harmonic device where the same
that clash causing note is sustained or repeated.
A strong
A strong
tension and conflict. 'shape'
sense of
key Ostinato
Use of Melodic, rhythmic or harmonic patterns
repetition

Simple Time Cluster chords

The main beat is a crochet beat Clashing notes
together to build
suspense.
Layering
Origins Function Music for Film Building up musical
Compound Time Silent movies were accompanied To create atmosphere; to underscore the Diegetic: music contained within
The main beat is ideas to fill out the
by pianists or small orchestras in the dialogue; for scene changes or montages; to the action e.g. a club singer performing texture.
a dotted theatres. This was normally music written set the era, time or period; to correspond on stage.
crotchet specifically for the film, existing classical music with the visuals (mickey-mousing); to arouse Non-Diegetic: the background music
beat or popular music of the time. Sound with pictures a collective emotion from the audience; to supporting the on-screen action. This is not heard
was developed in 1927 with the film ‘The Jazz Singer’. build tension and suspense. by the on-screen actors but the audience.
Pop Rock Bhangra emerged in the UK as a type of Traditional Punjab music used the
Rock & Pop Bhangra folk instruments of the country, with
Commercial genre which Harsher and more serious fusion which features music from the
the main emphasis on percussion
has mass audience appeal. form of popular music. Punjab region of India combined with
other popular styles. and string instruments.

Bass Guitar
Strings are plucked or
‘slapped’. Bass holds the
low notes in a bass
Drum kit line.
Chaal
A collection of different sized drums
Electric Guitar and cymbals. Drummers keep the The chaal rhythm is
Supports the rhythm by beat and add fills to add interest. Tempo played by the dhol in a
strumming the chords Fast/moderate, lively, kind of swing rhythm.
Structure
upbeat.
Most rock & pop structures are in verse- Melody Structure
chorus form or 32-bar song form. Quite repetitive, simple, limited Traditional verse-chorus
Melody in range, uses embellishments
Rhythm
Hooks – catchy & memorable to decorate, often dips at the
Chaal rhythm, syncopation,
Repetition and symmetry end of phrases, uses
4 beats in a bar.
microtonal intervals.
Harmony Ideas are sung or Technology
Most chords are in root position. played. Shouted Uses drum machines,
There is parallel movement towards phrases of ‘Hoi!’ synths, samples, mixing
the tonic. The chords stick to the key and scratching.
using mainly (I, ii, IV, V, vi and Lyrics
Punjabi language, often mixed with
sometimes viiº).
English covering social subjects.
Digital Electronic Rock Fusion
A genre of rock music that relies on electronic and Fusion is what happens when two or more different
digital instruments: synths, moogs and drum machines. musical styles or genres are blended. Ray Charles
These genres are: House, Techno, Trance, Dubstep, combined musical elements of gospel and jazz-
Indietronica. The reproduction of acoustic sounds can influenced blues. The Pogues combines Celtic music
also be edited: remixing, panning, delay, reverb, with punk by playing with traditional Irish instruments.
phasing and looping. Afro Celt Sound System combine African, Celtic and
Dance Music through instrumentation and elements.
1738-39
The Baroque period
Badinerie Tempo
Allegro

•
Complex melodic lines with
ornamentation
Terraced dynamics
Tonality
BACH Texture
Homophonic (melody and accompaniment).
Flute and the cello provide the main musical
Section A begins in B minor and
• Polyphonic texture Rhythm material
ends in F# minor
• Harpsichord and strings 1st violin participates occasionally
Section B: the opposite, beginning Simple ostinato rhythms, forming the basis
• Basso Continuo 2nd violin and viola provide harmony with
in F# minor and ending in B minor. of the two short musical ideas (X and Y)
less busy musical lines.
Consist almost totally of quavers and semi-
Instrumentation quavers.
Instrumentation: (Transverse) Flute Dynamics The time signature is 2/4 throughout Structure
String Orchestra Mostly forte Binary form (AB),
Harpsichord (Basso Continuo). Use of terraced dynamics with each section repeated once (AABB)

Section A Bars 02 – 161 16 bars

Section B Bars 162 – 401 24 bars

Harmony
Melody Diatonic throughout.
The movement is based on two short musical ideas (X and Y). Section A modulates from the tonic to the dominant
The flute part has a two-octave pitch range. minor and Section B does the opposite.
The movement includes ornaments and compositional Imperfect and perfect cadences are clearly presented
devices typical of the Baroque era: throughout.
Chords frequently occur in inversion with occasional use
Trills: Bars 81, 101, 152, 272, 301 and 321 of V7 in third inversion.
Appoggiaturas: Bars 331 and 401 A Neapolitan sixth chord is used in bar 35.
Sequences: 62 – 101 and bars 282 – 321. Suspensions also occur in bars 81, 101 and 321.
1981
Toto IV
Africa Texture
Homophonic: melody

TOTO
and accompaniment

David Paich & Jess Porcaro Melody

Mostly conjunct (moving in step) and includes occasional
Instrumentation use of the pentatonic scale. The pitch range of the vocal
Rock Band: drum kit (keeps the Tonality line is just less than two octaves on the printed score, but
groove) with additional percussion, B major with it is wider on the recording with the vocal improvisations
lead guitar (plays solos and choruses in A major towards the end of the song.
chords), bass guitar (holds the Tempo
bassline), synthesizers (emphasizes Harmony Rhythm Moderately fast
the chords and leads the solo The harmony is diatonic, the Ostinato rhythms, consisting almost
instrumental section), lead singer chords used are based on the totally of quavers, with constant use of Dynamics
(sings the lyrics and melody). And key of the piece. Power chords syncopation. The time signature is 2/2 Mainly mezzo forte,
male backing vocals (harmonies). and inversions. (split common time) throughout. choruses are forte

Intro Verse 1/2 Chorus 1/2 Link Instrumental Chorus 3 Outro

Bars 1-4 Bars 5-39 Bars 40-57 58-65 66-82 Bars 40-92 Bars 93-96
Bars 14-39
B major B major A major B major B major A major B major
Syncopated Mostly Vocal texture Same as intro Chords based New e. guitar Same as
chordal riff A syllabic, builds on but only on the verse riff, lyrics are intro, texture
running into syncopated each line, repeated but with repeated with gradually
ostinato riff B rhythms that mostly once instead instrumental solo vocal decreases as
based on E are conjunct. syllabic with of three melody based improvisation the music
pentatonic Final chord is melisma on times. on riff B. repeats to
scale. sustained for the final fade out.
drum fill. melody.