32-Bar Form (AABA)
The 32-bar form,so-called because of the number of measures (bars) in the song, is an AABA pattern. It is one
of the most common forms used for songs, including popular, folk, and rock. In its simplest form, it consists of
four eight-measure segments. The first A section ends on the tonic and repeats. The B section, which is
sometimes called the bridge in pop songs, may be contrasting in key and mood; it ends with a half cadence,
which leads back to the final A section.
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