The Form of a Minuet

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Of the Things I Asked You to Listen For:

• The minuet is a form of Dance music, albeit of a different century (the 18th), and it is full of many repeats.  The basic form is called an ABA form, but there are many repeats within that basic patten

• The minuet is somewhat akin to a form of music that followed called the waltz, in that it is written in 3/4 time, with three quarter notes (the beats) per measure (although the rhythm may vary, the number of beats in each measure remains 3 throughout.

• Although the dynamic level (or volume) may have changed between sections, and the timbre changed with each change of instruments, the tempo (or pace) of the music remained constant throughout.

The Actual Form of a Minuet From Schubert's Time:

[:A:] [:A_var  A₁:] [:B:] [:B_var  B₁:] [A] [A_var  A₁]]

• The A & B sections: are based upon different melodies, harmonies, and instruments.

• [:A:] = [A A]  The "A" Section will be repeated

• A_var  = a variaton basesd upon a theme or themes from the "A" Section

• A₁ = a repeat of the "A" Section, but with some modifications, usually at the end

• [:A_var  A₁:] = [A_var  A₁  A_var   A₁]

• [:A:] [:A_var  A₁:] = [A  A  A_var  A₁   A_var  A₁]

• [:B:] = [B B]  The "A" Section will be repeated

• B_var  = a variaton basesd upon a theme or themes from the "B" Section

• B₁ = a repeat of the "B" Section, but with some modifications, usually at the end

• [:B_var  B₁:] = [B_ar  B₁  B_var   B₁]

• [:B:] [:B_var  B₁:] = [B  B  B_var  B₁   B_var  B₁]

Written: [:A:] [:A_var  A₁:] [:B:] [:B_var  B₁:] [A] [A_var  A₁]]

Heard:  A  A  A_var  A₁   A_var  A₁   B  B  B_var  B₁  B_var  B₁ A  A_var  A₁

This time when you listen, look at the pattern and try to figure out not only
the basic ABA form, but also each of the 15 landmarks above.

Now listen to the minuet ONE MORE TIME!

Did You Hear It?

• Did you figure out where each of the 15 landmarks were?

If You Didn't Hear it . . .

• . . . then you need to listen to the music one more time . . .

If You Want to Test Your New Knowledge of Musical Form On Another Minuet -- This One's Not So Easy -- Find Out If You Can Hear The Structure of This One . . .

If that Minuet was too hard, try this easier one . . .

For the Curious:

THE NEXT STEP:  Looking vs. Seeing Part II - Using Actual Microscope Images!

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