Structure in music is how different sections are put together. A piece of music might consist of just one main section or two sections (binary) or three sections, (ternary) or more complex forms such as Sonata Form.
On this page, we will look at musical examples for the different forms and structures we find in music.
Section 1 – Binary
Minuet from the Royal Fireworks Suite
Section 2 – Ternary
Rigadoon
Section 1 – Binary Form
Binary form in music is the most simple form in music next to just a very simple tune by itself. Binary form has TWO sections or different melodies or themes.
Greensleeves
Greensleeves is an English folk song. It is believed to have been composed by King Henry VIII for his intended Queen – Anne Boleyn. It has 2 distinct sections with 2 different melodies.
Minuet from the Royal Fireworks Suite
The Minuet from the Royal Fireworks Suite features in our Flipped Strings Level 2 Books for violin, viola, cello and double bass. It also works for String Ensemble.
Section 2 – Ternary Form
A simple ternary form song is “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”
Rigadoon – By Henry Purcell
Rigadoon is featured in our Flipped Strings Level 2 Books and iBooks for violin, viola, cello and double bass – it also works for string ensemble
Flipped Music Learning 