Binary Form in Open Music Theory

Overview

• Binary Form: Refers to a musical form with two main parts, known as reprises.
• Common in 17th to 19th-century repertoire, especially in dance music.
• Types: Rounded and Simple.
• May feature a Balanced aspect.

Types of Binary Form

Repeat Structure

• Each reprise is typically repeated. Structure:
  • Reprise 1
  • Reprise 1
  • Reprise 2
  • Reprise 2
• In 17th and 18th centuries, repeat signs were used; in the 19th century, repeats were often written out to include specific decorations or changes.

Rounded Binary Form

• Structure: ABA
• The beginning of section A returns in the second reprise.
• Variations may occur in the return (octave changes, accompanimental patterns).
• B section is generally less stable than A.
• Example: Mozart's Symphony No. 25 in G minor.

Simple Binary Form

• Structure: AB or AA
• The second reprise does not return to the opening material.
• A: Continues ideas from the first reprise without a return.
• B: Contains new material.
• Example: Bach's Bourrée from Lute Suite in E minor.

Balancing a Binary Form

• Balanced Binary: The end of the first reprise returns at the end of the second reprise, in the home key.
• Requires a specific crux point for restatement.
• Example: Scarlatti's Sonata in A major, K. 322.

Harmonic Expectations

Cadences

• Ends with standard cadence types: perfect authentic, imperfect authentic, or half.
• In the 19th century, tonic-prolongational progressions became common.

Harmonic Open or Closed

• Open: First reprise ends on a non-tonic harmony.
• Closed: Ends with tonic harmony.

Keys

• First reprise may modulate if it's open.
• Second reprise usually ends with an authentic cadence in the original key.

Stability Expectations

• First reprise: relatively stable.
• Beginning of second reprise: relatively unstable.
• End of second reprise: returns to stability with the return of A material in rounded binary.

Assignments

• Analysis of binary forms in works by Schubert, Haydn, Bach.
• Guided composition assignments available.

Licensing

• Content licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.