Musical Form
Musical Form is the structure of a composition.
(The way it is arranged or designed)
• Let’s Review ABA Form
Listen to the following example and stand upon hearing the
A section, sit when you hear the different section B.
Listening Activity
Task: Create, notate and perform a rhythm composition in ABA form.
Composition Requirements:
• 12 measures long in 4/4 time.
• ABA Form (Section A should be measures 1-4 & 9-12, Section B should be measures 5-8)
Step 1
• Create four measures of
music in 4/4 time.
• Decide if your new music
should be section A or B.
• As you create, work
together towards an
interesting composition
Step 2
• Notate your composition
clearly in ABA form so
that anyone else could
read and perform it.
• Reflect on the “Notating
your ABA Composition”
Rubric before handing in
your composition.
Rhythm Composition #2
Step 3
• Select rhythm
instruments.
• Decide your
arrangement.
• Practice, reflecting
on the “Performing
your ABA
Composition”
Rubric
• Perform with
instruments your
ABA Composition.
Let’s compose an ABA Rhythm Composition together.
Composition Requirements:
• 12 measures long in 4/4 time.
• ABA Form (Section A should be measures 1-4 & 9-12, Section B should be measures 5-8)
“Creating your ABA Composition” Rubric
Exceeds
Meets
Progressing
Needs more
time
Composition
What you
created.
My ABA composition is
interesting. There are
three distinct sections.
The B section is very
different from the A
section to demonstrate a
clear understanding of
ABA form.
My ABA
composition meets
all the requirements.
There is only a slight
difference in my A
and B sections.
My composition is
missing some of the
requirements. (ex.
Not enough
measures)
My composition is
clearly not in ABA
form. (ex. No repeat
of the A section in
measures 9-12)
Notation
How you wrote
down what you
created.
All rhythms in my ABA
composition are notated
correctly. The notation
is clear and neat with no
erasers.
All rhythms in my
ABA composition
are notated correctly
and is somewhat
clear and neat.
The notation of my
ABA composition is
hard to read or some
rhythms have been
notated incorrectly.
My notation is
incorrect or can not
be read.
Use of Time
How you spent
your time in
class.
My time spent
composing and notating
was used wisely and to
the fullest!
My time spent
composing and
notating was used
wisely with little
distraction.
I could have used my
time spent
composing and
notating better.
I did not work well
with my partner or
use our time spent
composing and
notating wisely.
Performing ABA Composition #2
Task:
1. Select two instruments each with a difference in tone quality for you and your
partner.
Your choices are: Rhythm Sticks, Drums, Maracas, Claves, Triangles.
2. You and your partner must perform accurately from your notation.
The arrangement of your B part should not be the same as you’re a part.
You must accurately count out loud your rhythm during your performance.
You must maintaining a steady beat.
You must perform as an ensemble.
You must use your practice to the fullest!
3. Practice, reflecting on the “Performing your Composition” Rubric.
You will be scored on 4 components of your performance.
• Beat
• Accuracy
• Ensemble
• Practice Time.
“Performing Your ABA Composition” Rubric
Exceeds
Meets
Progressing
Needs Work
Beat
How my partner and I
performed with a steady
pulse.
Our beat connected to
the music. We felt a
“groove”.
We maintained a steady
beat throughout the
performance. The tempo
(speed) did not change.
We did not maintain a
steady beat . The tempo
(speed) sped up or
slowed down. It was not
consistent.
We could not feel the
pulse of the music.
Accuracy
How my partner and I
performed the music we
composed.
The performance and
counting of our notation
was played with ease.
The rhythms were crisp,
precise and energetic.
The performance and
counting of our notation
was accurate. We
played what we wrote.
The performance and
counting of our notation
was accurate for the
most part. We played
what we wrote with a
few mistakes but we
understand what we did
wrong.
The performance and/or
counting of our notation
was incorrect for most of
the performance. We
did not know how to
play or count some of
our rhythms.
Ensemble
How my partner and I
performed together.
We were so in sync with
each other that we
sounded “like one” even
during long sounds and
rests (silence).
We started together,
stopped together and
stayed together
throughout most of the
performance.
We were not together
throughout most of the
piece. We were on the
same music but sounded
like “a wave”.
We were on totally
different places in the
music. We did not play
together at all. We lost
our place.
Practice Time
How my partner and I
practiced.
My time spent practicing
with my partner was
used wisely and to the
fullest!
My partner and I used
our practice time wisely.
We kept each other on
task.
I could have used my
practice time better or I
had to keep my partner
on task.
We did not work well
together or use our
practice time wisely.