The Complete Idiot''s Guide to Music Theory

Programme music
Programme music is instrumental music that tells a
story, illustrates a literary idea, or evolves a pictorial scene.
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Sonata
A sonata is a piece of instrumental music, performed in several
distinct sections (called 
movements
). Sonatas typically are written for a
soloist and small ensemble.
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Song
A song, in classical music, is a short and self-contained piece for
one or more voices; it can be accompanied or not, and either sacred or
secular in nature. In popular music, however, just about any musical com-
position (vocal or instrumental) is called a song.
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String quartet
The string quartet is a particular form of chamber music
written for two violins, viola, and cello. In terms of importance, the string
quartet is to chamber music as the symphony is to orchestral music.
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Suite
A suite is an ordered set of instrumental pieces meant to be per-
formed at a single sitting.
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Symphony
A symphony is an extended work for orchestra, typically in
three or four distinct movements. The symphony is generally regarded as
the central form of orchestral composition—this is the big dog of classical
instrumental music.

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Chapter 11:
Phrases and Form
151
If you’re serious about continuing your music education, you’ll study each of these
forms in much more detail. For now, though, it’s probably enough to know the
names of these forms; you can learn more about each form when the time comes.
The Least You Need to Know
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Most popular songs consist of a short instrumental intro, one or more verses,
a chorus, a bridge, and an ending.
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Each part of the song is assigned a letter; the form of the song is notated by a
combination of letters. For example, a song with two verses, a chorus, and a
final verse is designated AABA.
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Jazz musicians and jam bands often play head arrangements, in which the
main melody (the head) is played straight; then used for a series of instrumen-
tal solos.
◆
There are several forms specific to classical music, including the opera, the
sonata, and the symphony.

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