Structure and Tonality

Understanding Musical Structure

Musical structure is simply the framework that organises a piece of music. This directly relates to musical form.
The broad structure of music includes the Order of Sections in a piece (e.g., ABA, ABAB, ABC), but also smaller scale features such as the organisation of phrases and the use of repetition, contrast, and variation.
Music can be structured by simply repeating a melody, or by developing it in a variety of ways. A well-structured piece will have a good balance between repetition and variation.
Sequences are important tools for structuring music. They involve repeating a musical idea at a different pitch level. Sequential patterns help convey a sense of movement and progression

Exploring Tonality

Tonality refers to the key of a piece of music. Understanding tonality is crucial to understanding the structure and mood of a piece.
Music can be Major (happy, bright) or Minor (sad, dark). The key signature gives us a clue, but we must also listen to the music to determine its tonality.
Modulation is another key aspect of tonality. It is when a piece of music changes key within a section. It can bring a sense of drama, surprise, or emotional shift.
Atonal music doesn’t adhere to a key and can sound strange or unsettling as a result.
Polytonal music uses two or more keys at the same time. This complex tonality can create a rich, layered sound but can also be dissonant.

Don’t forget: Familiarising yourself with the structure and tonality of music is a crucial step in understanding its form and mood. It’s always important to know the musical structure and the key in which a piece is written.