Works with Sounds Online

Acoustic Composition – III: Rhythm
4 Topics
What are the most common unpitched percussion instruments?
What are rudiments and do I need to know them?
What’s the deal with drum set notation?
Conclusion
Acoustic Composition – IV: Form
4 Topics
What does developmental material mean?
How do composers transition between sections of songs?
How do composers transition between keys?
Conclusion
Acoustic Composition – V: Texture
4 Topics
Can you create an interesting texture for a solo instrument?
Can texture be a story telling device?
How can I be more creative in my use of texture?
Conclusion
Acoustic Composition – VI: Timbre
4 Topics
Does it matter which instrument plays the melody?
Can two non-similar instruments play the same thing at the same time?
What are extended techniques and can I use them in my music?
Conclusion
Electronic Composition
Electronic Composition – I: Melody
4 Topics
What does DAW stand for?
What is MIDI?
What is piano roll and how does it work?
Conclusion
Electronic Composition – II: Harmony
4 Topics
What are pads?
What are loops?
What’s an arpeggiator?
Conclusion
Electronic Composition – III: Rhythm
4 Topics
What’s a step sequencer?
Why are drum machines so important in electronic music?
How can I make simple grooves sound more complicated?
Conclusion
Electronic Composition – IV: Form
4 Topics
What is song form?
Why is song form so prevalent in popular music?
What are some common variations of song form?
Conclusion
Electronic Composition – V: Texture
4 Topics
How do electronic composers layer sounds?
What is a saturated spectrum, and what does it mean?
Can Texture be understood differently in electronic music?
Conclusion
Electronic Composition – VI: Timbre
4 Topics
How do electronic composers classify sounds?
What does DSP mean and should I use effects?
What does wet/dry mean?
Conclusion
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What are some common variations of song form?

Works with Sounds Online Electronic Composition – IV: Form What are some common variations of song form?

We already introduced you to three common variations in the previous section: strophic form, 32-bar form, and verse-chorus form. Let’s look at these and others in more detail.

NameFormHistoryPopular examples
Bar formAABOriginated in Germany, what makes this form unique is the A section and B sections do not need to be the same lengthStar Spangled Banner, 12-bar blues (see below)
32-bar formAABAThis was the musical form of the Tin Pan Alley and is also known as the “American popular song form.” It became popular in the late 1910’s.Over the Rainbow (from the Wizard of Oz), Great Balls of Fire by Jerry Lee Lewis
Ternary formABAThis form is also sometimes called “song form.” It is very popular in classical music and has been used by nearly every composer of note.The trumpet shall sound from Handel’s Messiah, the Raindrop Prelude in Db by Chopin, and the opening chorus of St John Passion by J.S. Bach
Strophic formAAAPerhaps the most basic song form, it can be applied to a few other song forms like the verse-chorus or 12-bar blues if the larger sections repeat verbatim.Barbara Allen, Erie Canal, and Michael Row the Boat Ashore
12-bar bluesAABTo anyone familiar with American music, this form is foundational. It’s popular among jazz, R&B, pop, rock, and of course blues songs. It grew out of the musical traditions of African slaves and freedmen in the deep south.Almost any blues song, Johnny B Goode by Chuck Berry, and Give Me One Reason to Stay Here by Tracy Chapman.
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