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==Form==
Form refers to the structural aspects of a piece of music. In formal analysis, a letter is assigned to each distinct section of a piece. Basic examples of form include binary form (A B), in which one section is followed by a contrasting section, or ternary form (A B A'), in which the first section returns, usually in slightly altered form (denoted by the addition of an apostrophe to the final A), to give a sense of formal closure. The typical form of a popular song might be written as ABABCAB, where A is the verse, B is the chorus, and C is the bridge. One commonly used form in the classical periods is [[Sonata form]], which is a specialised, elaborate binary form. Sonata form, in classical music, is typically used as the first movement in most large-scale instrumental works such as symphonies and concertos. Another commonly used form is [[rondo ]] form, in which a recurring section is contrasted with successive new sections, whose simplest version can be described as ABACA'. It is often used in the final movement of large works.
While these letters are used to describe contrasting sections, this contrast is sometimes created by a completely different melody or musical texture, and sometimes by changing the [[key (music)|key]] (or modulating), often by both. A binary form, for example, usually contains very similar musical material in the A and B parts, but in different keys. In a sonata form, a succession of contrasting musical themes and a modulatory plan work together to define the structure of the movement.
