Common Forms: Classical Music

Binary Form

By its namesake, binary form consists of two sections: A B. These sections may contrast in terms of style, key, meter, tempo, etc.

Rounded Binary Form

Rounded binary form typically takes the form of A B A’, where the second A section is abbreviated.

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Ternary Form

Ternary Form most commonly takes the form A B A, or A B A’. The B section contrasts with the A sections, just as in Binary Form, and it often ends on the dominant. Examples of Ternary Form include “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star,” and Schumann’s “Humming Song.”

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Sonata Form

Sonata Form, also known as Sonata Allegro Form, was commonly used by classical composers in the opening movement of multi-movement works. My favorite example of this is Movement I of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony. The three sections of Sonata Form are the Exposition (introduction of theme 1 and 2), Development (includes modulation and moves away from thematic material), and Recapitulation (themes from the exposition reemerge).

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Rondo Form

Rondo form typically alternates between a refrain and contrasting episodes. This can take the structure of:

A B A C A: 5-part Rondo
A B A C A D A: 7-Part Rondo
A B A C A B A: 7-Part Rondo
A B A’ C A” D A”’: Variation Rondo

Final movements of concerti are typically presented in rondo form. Examples of this form are “Sleigh Ride” by Leroy Anderson, and “Raiders March” by John Williams

Multi-Movement Sonata Form

The most common structure of a multi-movement sonata is:

Movement I: Sonata Form,
Movement II: Binary, Ternary, or Rounded Binary
Movement III: Minuet and Trio (Compound Ternary)
Movement IV: Rondo, Sonata, or Sonata-Rondo Form