Form/Structure Instrumental Families

Binary - AB
Strings - Violin, Viola, Cello, Techniques/Keywords
Ternary - ABA¹
Double Bass
Rondo - ABACADA Ground Bass
Woodwind - Piccolo, Recorder,
Theme & Variations - T V1 V2... A bass line/melody which repeats
Flute, Clarinet, Oboe, Bassoon
throughout the piece. It can be thought
Brass - Trumpet, Trombone,
off as longer type of ostinato.
Horn, Tuba
Basso Continuo
Percussion - Timpani, Snare
This is an improvised accompaniment
drum, Cymbals, Triangle
performed by a bass instrument (cello,
Making a Variation bassoon, double bass) and a chordal
Decoration/Ornamentation instrument (harpsichord, organ or
Inversion lute). The continuo is read from a bass
Countermelodies line with numbers to indicate the chord
Instrumentation needed.
Counterpoint
Drone/Pedal/Ostinato/Riff
Key change (Modulation)
Area Of Two or more separate melodic lines
played at the same time.
Tempo
Rhythm
Study 1 Chromaticism
Harmony Movement by semitone - the smallest
Time Signature possible step in Western music.

Musical Periods

Baroque c.1600-1750
Instruments/Ensembles
Small chamber groups,
Harpsichord, flute, recorder, oboe,
Baroque trumpet, voice.
Techniques/Characteristics
Ground Bass, Basso Continuo,
Ostinato, Counterpoint, Wind/
brass not used prominantly.
Composers
J.S Bach, Purcell, Corelli,
Pachelbel, Vivaldi.
Romantic c.1825-1900
Classical c.1750-1825
Instruments/Ensembles
Instruments/Ensembles
Even larger orchestras; harp,
Bigger orchestras; bassoon, horn,
percussion, trombones.
clarinet, Piano.
Techniques/Characteristics
Techniques/Characteristics
Extended harmony/chords,
More use of string playing
chromaticism.
techniques.
Composers
Composers
Mahler, Wagner, Brahms
Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven