Elements of music Form

Form Form is how a piece of music is organized. Music occurs in big sections (8 measures long), these sections are what make up the form of a song. Musicians call these sections the A section, B section, C section, and on.

Popular Song form Introduction (intro): Beginning of a song. Sets the mood, tempo, and introduces the instruments of the song. Verse A section Often – repeated musical accompaniment, different words. Tells the story. Chorus B section Repeated words and musical accompaniment. “Hook”

Popular Song form Bridge Break in the song between the verse/chorus. C section Change in the mood of the song. Might be new music, instrumental solo, new words Outro Ending! Short ending, vamp (repeat over and over), fade into silence. OPTIONAL: Pre chorus: Between the verse/chorus Pumps the listener up for the chorus, adds excitement. Repeated music and lyrics.

Common Popular Song form Introduction Verse 1 A (Pre-Chorus) optional Chorus B Verse 2 A (Pre-chorus) optional Chorus B Interlude/Bridge C Chorus B Outro

Superstition 1. Introduction – Drums, keyboard, guitar, bass 2. Verse 1: “very superstitious” – Stevie enters with the first vocal verse. 3. Chorus: “When you believe in things you don’t understand. . .” - Change in mood, timbre of the instruments. Repetition of the words and music. 4. Verse 2: “Very superstitious, wash your face and hands. . .” 5. Chorus: “When you believe in things you don’t understand. . . .” 6. Bridge: short musical interlude played by the full band. 7. Verse 3: “Very superstitious, nothing more to say . . .” 8. Chorus: “When you believe in things you don’t understand. . . .” 9. Outro: Full band and horns vamp until the ending fades.

Creedance Clearwater Revival “Proud Mary” 1. Introduction: Full band 2. Verse 1: “Left a good job in the city. . .” - Full band and vocals, music will repeat. Different words will be sung each verse. 3. Chorus: “Big wheels keep on turnin’. . .” – Full band, music will repeat and words will repeat. 4. Verse 2: “Cleaned a lot of plates in Memphis. .” 5. Chorus: “Big wheels keep on turnin’. . .” 6. Bridge: Instrumental, guitar solo 7. Chorus: “Rollin’ on the river. . .” 8. Verse 3: “If you come down to the river. . .” 9. Chorus: “Big wheels keep on turnin’ . . .”

Michael Jackson – “Thriller” 1. Introduction – bass, drums, guitar, piano 2. Verse 3. Chorus 4. Verse 5. Chorus 6. Bridge 7. Verse 8. Chorus 9. Outro

“Let it Go” __________________

ABA Form/AABA Form Three part song form 1. A section 2. B section (different music) 3. A section Example: “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” A A B A form “Flintstones” Flintstones Theme

12 Variations on Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star – W.A.Mozart A A B A song form A B Beginning of 12 variations on the melody of this French folk song. Mozart changed the rhythm, added pitch notes, and changed the tempo to vary this famous melody.

Flintstones A section – “Flintstones, meet the Flintstones” A section – “From the town of bedrock” B section – “Let’s ride with the family down the street . . “ A section – “When you’re with the Flintstones . . . “

Take the “A” Train – Duke Ellington AABA form Trumpet solos over the AABA form. Can you hear the changes in the sections?