MEPX
Chapter 7 of 10All chapters

Chapter 7 of 10

Form

How pieces are built.

Common structures

Verse and chorus in popular music, twelve bar blues, and sonata form in classical music all set up expectation and then satisfy or delay it.

  • A bridge exists to make the returning chorus feel new.
  • Theme and variation keeps material recognisable while changing it.

Longer works

Symphonies, suites and concept albums organise multiple movements or tracks by key, mood and pacing rather than by a single tune.