Ballet 2500 - Musical Forms

Duple Musical Forms

100

Sharp, stretchy, syncopated, elongated. AKA Habanera, Beguine, Rumba. Tempo = Moderato

Tango

200

Happy, light, syncopated swing-style. AKA a Popular Song. Tempo = Moderato

Rag / Ragtime

300

Even beat, light/happy, heel-toe stepping rhythm. AKA Hornpipe. Tempo = Moderato-Allegro.

Polka

400

Strong, energetic, intense, melodic. AKA Circus Music, Trepak, Galop. Tempo = Presto

Coda

500

Light, ornamented, short-short-long pattern. AKA Bourree or Ecossaise. Tempo = Moderato-Allegretto

Gavotte

Triple Musical Forms

100

Accented, strong, lively with restraint. AKA Kujawiak or Varsovienne. Tempo = Moderato

Mazurka

200

Light, delicate, smooth, elegant. AKA Landler. Tempo = Allegretto

Minuet

300

Smooth, grandiose, rich texture, energetic, Maestoso. Viennese accompaniment. Tempo = Andante-Moderato

Big/Grand Waltz

400

Energetic, strong down-up-up feeling, syncopated rhythm with characteristic melody, Con Fuoco. Tempo = Allegro

Spanish Waltz

500

Singable, moving, strong melodic emphasis. Tempo = Moderato

Lyric Waltz

Compound Musical Forms

100

Lifted, energetic, quick, light. Usually in a minor key. Tempo = Allegro-Presto

Tarantella

200

Syncopated, staccato, swinging, lifted. "Amsterdam"  Tempo = Moderato

6/8 March

300

Smooth, continuous, water quality, legato. Usually in a minor key. Tempo = Andante-Moderato-Allegretto

Barcarolle

400

Light, staccato, bouncy. Usually in a major key. Tempo = Moderato-Allegro

Jig / Gigue

500

TRIPLE continued: In phrases of 6 beats, strong, processional, gliding, accented downbeat. AKA Polacca, Bolero.  Tempo = Moderato

Polonaise

March & Adagio

100

Energetic, lively, and lifted. AKA Military March. Tempo = Allegro

Fast March

200

Downbeat emphasis with movement. Triple meter. Tempo = Lento-Largo-Adagio-Andante.

3/4 or 3/8 Adagio

300

Grand, energetic, heavy accent, Maestoso. AKA March Noble. Tempo = Moderato

Big March

400

Slow, heavy, even, steady, Pesante. AKA Processional/Coronation March or Csardas Lassu. Tempo = Grave-Lento-Largo-Adagio.

Slow March

500

Continuous movement/development, rubato, lyrical. Arpeggio style and Compound meter. Tempo = Lento-Largo-Adagio-Andante.

6/8 Adagio

Structure & More

100

What are components of a melody?

Identity, Continuity, Length, Shape & Structure, Motives, and Cadence

200

What is Rubato?

Push and pull of musical phrasing. "Robbed" / "To Rob"

How does this apply to dance?

300

Absolute vs Programmatic music

Absolute = No narrative. Music for the sake of music

Programmatic = Music with a narrative purpose / containing a storyline. 

400

Basic Structural Forms

Binary, Ternary, Strophic, Theme & Variations, Rondo

500

Broader Structural Forms

Arrangement, Ballet, Concerto, Etude, Opera, Oratorio, Overture, Quartet, Sonata, Song Cycle, Rhapsody, Suite, Symphony