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Form and Structure

General Knowledge Workshops for Teenagers

Concert hall

Exploring the underlying structure of music gives an insight into the craftmanship and complexity of classical music. In this workshop students will examine the main structures used in music, and gain a deeper understanding of how form works. Larger forms studied will include the symphony, the concerto and the sonata. Smaller forms explored will include Binary, Ternary, Rondo, Theme and Variations, and Sonata form. Students will be able to more easily analyse and understand their own pieces.

For high school students, aged 12 to 18.

This workshop will help with:

  • Instrumental and vocal exams, Grade 5 and upward
  • Music Craft, Grade 2 and upward
  • Theory of Music, Grade 2 and upward
  • Musicianship Grade 3 and upward

Course Outline

Session 1: Large Musical Forms

  • Discussion: What is structure for?
  • Movements
  • The Sonata
  • The Symphony
  • The Concerto
  • The Suite
  • The Overture
  • Summing up

Session 2: Forms Within Forms

  • Through-composed
  • Theme and Variations
  • Fugue
  • Binary
  • Ternary
  • Song form/32 bar form/A-A-B-A form
  • Minuet and Trio form, and Scherzo
  • Rondo
  • First Movement or Sonata Form
  • Sonata Rondo form
  • Analysing forms
  • Form in performance
  • Summing up

Other Workshops

Full Day Workshops

Half Day Workshops

General information about the workshops

Comments

“I think that this session was very informative and gave me a deeper understanding and knowledge of the ‘rules and guidelines’ or the simple stuff that composers base their works on”

“I liked that everything was really clear and set out well so I understood (good form and structure!)”

“I liked how we analysed examples of the different structures and forms”

“It gave me a clearer knowledge of the different forms and structures which I can relate to different pieces of music”

About Susan Deas

Susan Deas is a professional musician, lecturer and teacher. She has been teaching piano for over twenty years, and her students learn both classical and contemporary styles, including playing by ear and improvisation. Susan also gives professional development workshops and lessons to private music teachers. She performs professionally as a pianist and organist, and lectures in music theory and music appreciation for Sydney University’s Centre for Continuing Education. Susan’s training includes a Bachelor of Music with a major in Performance (Piano) and Musicology, a Master of Music Studies (Studio Pedagogy), a Bachelor of Arts (Communications), and an A.Mus.A in Musicianship. Susan is an Accredited Member of the Music Teachers’ Association of NSW.

More about Susan's qualifications

Read what people have said about Susan's other courses

Susan's other music courses