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Giacomo Mura

Still not belonging to the first level of basic knowledge of music, FORM is a crucial concept that is truly necessary to anyone who wants to take a deeper step in his/her musical experience.

Form embodies the order, the architecture, the logic that music needs and is expression of. Getting a grasp on the form of a piece allows the listener to be in the driver seat and follow confidently the development and the flow of the music, avoiding becoming passive and getting lost through the often lenghty (but grand and magnificent) pieces that are common within classical music.

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Still not belonging to the first level of basic knowledge of music, FORM is a crucial concept that is truly necessary to anyone who wants to take a deeper step in his/her musical experience.

Form embodies the order, the architecture, the logic that music needs and is expression of. Getting a grasp on the form of a piece allows the listener to be in the driver seat and follow confidently the development and the flow of the music, avoiding becoming passive and getting lost through the often lenghty (but grand and magnificent) pieces that are common within classical music.

In this course we are going to understand deeply the idea of form and its crucial role within art in general and of course music, and then cruise through the most important and common types of form that are crossed listening to classical music.

We will listen to several examples of pieces keeping track of the formal architecture that are based on, sometimes enjoying going deep into them during sweet, full music appreciation lectures about memorable and truly heart-shaking pieces.

Join and enjoy, music won't sound the same.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • The meaning of form within music
  • How composers express themselves through form
  • The most common types of form and how to recognize them
  • In-depth music appreciation of "the death and the maiden" by schubert (2nd movement)
  • In-depth music appreciation the 2nd symphony by beethoven (1st movement)

Syllabus

Introduction

Welcome to my course!
Some necessary information and we are ready to start.

Here you find a definition of "musical form" and the theory behind it.

Read more
Know and recognize the form of the song, the rondo and the theme with variations as well as their features

Simple and versatile in its generic ABA, the form of the song is the most basic of the forms commonly found in classical music. Let us see its features.

An expanded version of the form of the song, the rondo is used in very different kind of pieces and has a different personality.
It is a popular form and commonly found in the late XVIII century; it is definitely worth spending some time learning about it.

The Rondo (2/2)
The Theme with Variations

The theme with variations is maybe the most beloved form ever, and in this lecture we will find out why: how it works, how it is built, the reasons of its charm.

A truly exquisite example of ornamental variations, moment after moment this piece leads us is a world of endless interest and charm, renewed with each variation and within each variation.

The ornamental variations: Twinkle twinkle little star (2/2)

Intense, touching, heart-tearing, memorable: the "journey" kind of variations are embodied greatly by "Death and the Maiden" by Franz Schubert: in the end the music, and us alongside, will be transformed.

Follow me in this unforgettable experience.

Death and the Maiden - part 1 (2/2)
Death and the Maiden - part 2 (1/2)
Death and the Maiden - part 2 (2/2)
Death and the Maiden - part 3 (1/2)
Death and the Maiden - part 3 (2/2)
Death and the Maiden - part 4
The Fugue
On the structure of the Fugue

My choice of example for the fugue could not be by anyone else than Johann Sebastian Bach. His mind gave birth to hundreds of highly complex, dense, beautiful fugues: he is truly the master of this form.

The Sonata Form

In order to fully understand the most important form of the history of music, the sonata form, it is necessary to spend some words on the context that made its birth necessary and the mindset it incarnates. In this lecture our focus is the birth of Classicism and its relationship with the Enlightenment, father and mother of the sonata form.

Time to learn the organization of the sonata form and all the sections that are part of it, their role and their relationships, as well as the path they draw trough the music.

This delicious piece I chose as example of sonata form will give us the possibility of following with ease all the complex structure we have seen in the previous lecture.

Despite being a relatively simple piece, its beauty and quality are truly outstanding!

Example of Sonata Form: String Quartet op.33 n.5 by F. J. Haydn (2/3)
Example of Sonata Form: String Quartet op.33 n.5 by F. J. Haydn 3/3)

In order to have a better understanding (and enjoyment!) it is worth spending a lecture in listening through the piece by Haydn. We do it here!

As we have already said many times, the sonata form is not just a structure, but has a deep cultural meaning. We talk briefly about its hidden nature in this lecture.

Beethoven's second symphony

Time for a larger piece featuring the sonata form! Ludwig van Beethoven was among the great composers who loved the sonata form the most and used it in its full potential.

This first movement of his second symphony is a blood-boiling, vein-shaking bath in Beethoven's musical language and his will of breaking the limits. Enjoy!

Exposition
Development
Recapitulation and coda
Menuet/scherzo form and last thoughts

It is worth dedicating a small lecture to this form, since it is very common being every time there in the classical symphony.
A pretty simple and predictable form, but it is definitely good to know its features.

My final thoughts on the topic of this course: the destiny of form during Romanticism and our relationship with form while listening.

Please check out the bonus lectures for a recap of everything and free resources.
It has been a pleasure spending time with you. See you next time with more great music!

Bonus lecture: recap and additional resources
Bonus lecture

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Classical music appreciation: basics - part II: Form with these activities:
Review Basic Music Theory
Reinforce your understanding of fundamental music concepts like rhythm, harmony, and melody to better grasp how composers use form to structure their ideas.
Browse courses on Music Theory
Show steps
  • Review scales and key signatures.
  • Practice identifying intervals and chords.
  • Study basic rhythmic patterns.
Read 'The Structure of Music' by Felix Salzer
Deepen your understanding of musical form by exploring Schenkerian analysis, a method that reveals the underlying structure of tonal music.
View Structural Hearing on Amazon
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Structural Hearing'.
  • Read the introductory chapters on Schenkerian analysis.
  • Analyze a simple piece using the principles outlined in the book.
Create a visual representation of Sonata Form
Solidify your understanding of sonata form by creating a visual aid that illustrates its different sections and their relationships.
Show steps
  • Research different visual representations of sonata form.
  • Choose a format (e.g., flowchart, diagram, mind map).
  • Create your visual representation, labeling each section clearly.
  • Add annotations to explain the function of each section.
Three other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all six activities
Identify Forms in Classical Pieces
Improve your ability to recognize different musical forms by listening to classical pieces and identifying their structure.
Show steps
  • Find recordings of classical pieces in different forms (e.g., rondo, sonata, fugue).
  • Listen to each piece and try to identify the different sections.
  • Compare your analysis with a score or expert analysis.
Read 'Form in Music' by Wallace Berry
Expand your knowledge of musical forms by studying a comprehensive textbook that covers a wide range of historical periods and styles.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Form in Music'.
  • Focus on chapters related to forms covered in the course.
  • Analyze musical examples provided in the book.
Analyze the use of form in a composer's work
Deepen your understanding of musical form by undertaking a project that analyzes how a specific composer utilizes form in their compositions.
Show steps
  • Choose a composer and a selection of their works.
  • Analyze the form of each piece, identifying key sections and their relationships.
  • Write a report summarizing your findings, highlighting the composer's unique approach to form.

Career center

Learners who complete Classical music appreciation: basics - part II: Form will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Classical music appreciation: basics - part II: Form.
Offers a comprehensive and detailed examination of musical form, covering a wide range of historical periods and styles. It provides in-depth analyses of various forms and explores the principles that govern their construction. This book is valuable as a reference tool for advanced students and musicians. It adds more depth to the existing course.
Provides an in-depth analysis of musical structure from a Schenkerian perspective. It delves into the underlying tonal relationships that create coherence in music. While challenging, it offers a powerful framework for understanding how form emerges from these relationships. This book is best used as additional reading to expand on the concepts covered in the course.

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