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Form
Form refers
to the design and structure in music. Because it is a summation
of other musical elements and structures of music, form cannot be
heard independently, nor is it perceived as easily as the other
concepts. Many casual listeners of music (especially longer examples)
think that a composer begins creating and continues in a stream
of consciousness manner until the end of a composition. On the contrary,
music is carefully organized, much as a novel, for example, is.
A book consists of individual letters that are organized into words;
words are used to form phrases and sentences; the sentences are
grouped into paragraphs; numerous paragraphs are linked to create
chapters--and so on. Music is similarly organized. Individual pitches
presented with specific rhythms form possible motives; musical phrases
combine to form musical "sentences" (melodies); these,
in turn, are grouped into sections; the sections are combined to
create movements; and in large compositions, several movements go
together to create the entire work (e.g., a symphony).
Formal designs in music are created by means
of repetition, contrast and variation. Notice the repetition and
contrast involved in the following musical example:
  
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