Strophic
Multiple stanzas of text set to a single musical strophe.
Repeats.
AAA
Modified Strophic
Multiple stanzas of text set to a single musical strophe which is modified somewhat to reflect the changes in the text.
AA’A”
Ternary
Musical setting employs a typical ABA ternary structure.
Contrasting text is set in the B section.
Typically, the A section text conveys the main idea of the song. The B section text provides some contrasting ideas which sets the A material in a slightly different light.
Seen in da Capo arias.
Through Composed
New music is composed from beginning to the end of the piece.
The new music reflects the new ideas present in the text as text unfolds.
ABCD
Verse-Chorus
Used in many country, folk, and rock genres.
Alternate verse and chorus for as many verses as the text contains.
Verse-Chorus-Verse2-Chorus-(Bridge)-Chorus, etc.
Tin Pan Alley Chorus
Chorus usually 32 measures long.
Consists of four 8-measure phrases.
Most common: aaba
Less common: abac
Least common: abca
(b = bridge)
Chorus-Chorus-repeats Chorus many times)(Optional Bridge)
12 Bar Blues
Consists of three 4-bar phrases.
Phrase structure is aa’b.
words ||: I | I or IV | I | I |
same words | IV | IV | I | I |
other words (irony) | V | V (IV 50s rock) | I | I or V:||
Simple Binary
AB
Two-reprise design ||: A :||: B :||
Rounded Binary
A B-A
Two-reprise design ||: A :||: B-A :||
Invention
Single Subject.
Imitated in 2 voices.
Episodes/Sequences
Fugue
3 to 5 voices possible