Musical form refers to the structure or organization of a musical composition. There are several common forms, including binary form consisting of two contrasting sections (AB), ternary form with three sections (ABA) where the first and third sections are the same, and rondo form with a recurring theme or refrain alternating with different episodes (ABACA). The form helps composers organize their pieces and involves different melodic phrases, sections, and the repetition or contrast of musical ideas.

1. Musical Form

2. A musical forms in music may vary according to
the melody of the song. You can recognize the
musical form by just listening to the melodic
phrases of the composition.

3. A form is the way a musical piece is
organized. It is the structure or design of a
musical piece.
It is one of the tools used by composers to
help them organize or arrange their
compositions.

4. A musical form is divided into different sections
called:
• stanzas, which vary in tunes
• refrain
• chorus

5. Three basic kinds of form that are commonly
heard or used in music:
1. Binary or AB Form – refers to a composition made
up of two contrasting melodic ideas. The A section
usually moves away from the tonic or final sound. It is
the main idea or the main theme song. The B section is
the contrasting idea that moves back and ends strongly
on the tonic sound. It is commonly used in Western
classical music.

6. 2. Ternary or ABA Form – consists of three
sections. The initial A section represents the
main theme or the main idea. It is usually the
first stanza of the song. The B section represents
the contrasting idea. It is usually the second
stanza with a different melody from the first
stanza or the rest of the stanzas in the song.

7. The antiphon is the response sung by a choir. It
is usually called the refrain or the chorus part in
the song.

8. 3. Rondo or ABACA Form – Rondo form is a
piece of music where a stanza or a verse at the
beginning of a musical piece keeps returning.
The beginning stanza can be called either
theme, the refrain, or chorus.

9. There are two main parts in a rondo
- theme or refrain
- episode or section