68 !!Chapter 5
form. Just hearing the theme in unusual places with different instruments
can keep the listener’s attention. Many film composers base entire scores
on one simple theme that is reinvented in various ways. This composi-
tional device is also effectively used in commercials.
Form
All forms of modern popular music have developed from traditional musi-
cal forms. The following is a list and description of some traditional forms
that have been modified and are still used in most styles of music.
Sonata formoriginated during the classical period. It contains three
sections. Theexposition section,often repeated, contains themes written
in the tonic key. The main theme morphs into a bridge, which in major
keys proceeds to the dominant and in minor keys the relative major. The
following section contains a new theme and ends with a codetta. This is a
simplistic explantion of the basic structure of the exposition. (Anintroduc-
tionmay precede the exposition.) Thedevelopmentsection is used to
develop and expand the original themes. The use of modulations, themes
in retrograde, and inverted and transposed forms are some of the tech-
niques employed. In addition, the use of fragmented themes is common
in commercials. (Fragmented themes are frequently used in both commer-
cials and films.) Therecapitulationis a return of the themes of the exposi-
tion with some minor changes. The themes remain in the tonic key rather
than the modulating keys previously heard. If the original theme is writ-
ten in a minor key, the theme might be presented in the major key. The
order of the themes usually remains the same as the exposition. Many
recapitulations are followed by acoda(an additional ending). The first
movement of sonatas, called the allegro, uses this form. (This is a general
outline of the sonata form. The form varies.)
Recapitulation is used in almost all forms of popular music. The popu-
lar song and instrumental compositions usually repeat the chorus numer-
ous times, which helps the audience remember the chorus; in popular
music this is referred to as the ‘‘hook’’ of the song. Almost all commercial
songs (jingles) have strong, memorable hooks. This helps to create client
identity.
Theme and variationsis a musical form that dates back to the baroque
and classical periods. A theme is stated, followed by numerous variations
of the theme. Some commercials and film scores are based on this tech-
nique. Varying tempos, keys, time signatures, orchestration, and other
compositional devices modify the original theme.
Binary formhas two parts, both of which are usually repeated.
Ternary formhas three parts and usually has repeated sections.
Rondo formconsists of a main theme that repeats between several
additional sections that vary from the main theme. The usual classical