Form Analysis | School of Music 2/12/21, 12:16 PM

School of
Music

FORM ANALYSIS
All graduate music students are expected to demonstrate a competency with the basics of form analysis. We assess this through the proper labeling of cadences, phrase
types, and formal structures. The exam focuses on Classical Period instrumental forms Binary, Ternary, Sonata/Allegro, Rondo etc. We use the text Classical Form: A
Theory of Formal Functions for the Instrumental Music of Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven »1 by William E. Caplin.

Phrase Structures - Samples

Label the phrase structure for the theme below. Indicate the smaller 'sub' structures and label the cadence(s).

Example 1

Solution1

Example 2

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Example 3

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Form Analysis | School of Music 2/12/21, 12:16 PM

Solution1

Example 4

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Small Forms - Samples

For the examples below determine the formal structure. Show formal divisions, key relationships, and structural cadences.

Example 1

Solution1

Example 2

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Form Analysis | School of Music 2/12/21, 12:16 PM

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Large Forms - Samples

Give the formal structure of a typical Sonata Allegro movement. Indicate the sections and tonal structure.

Solution1

Give the formal structure of a typical Large Ternary movement. Indicate the sections and tonal structure.

Solution1

Give the formal structure of a typical 5-part Rondo movement. Indicate the sections and tonal structure.

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Give the formal structure of a typical Sonata Rondo movement. Indicate the sections and tonal structure.

Solution1

Links on this page:

1. https://music.ku.edu/form-analysis#

2. javascript:newPopup('images/schumann_pp_key.jpg')

Contact School of Music

music@ku.edu Murphy Hall, Room 460
785-864-3436 1530 Naismith Drive
Lawrence, Kansas 66045-3103

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Form Analysis | School of Music 2/12/21, 12:16 PM

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