Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/2-1-2-structure-and-melody

[Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [GCSE](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse.md) › [Music](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music.md) › [Edexcel](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel.md) › Structure & Melody

# Structure & Melody

Music: Edexcel GCSE, topic 2.1.2

## Structure

The 3rd movement is written in ternary form (ABA), but also incorporates a fugue.

### Ternary form

![Ternary form](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/e74400de-3998-4408-b872-149f5553a54e/three-3-number-.png)

- The 3rd movement is written in ternary form (ABA). 
- Within the overall ternary form the piece also incorporates a fugue. 
- The violin plays the main musical idea and the other parts repeat and imitate.

### Variations

![Variations](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/ddba1e7a-144d-493e-9c0d-9dc3bba0971e/classical-concert-violin.jpg)

- There are multiple variations of the main idea which can be played the same as it was originally heard or with some slight changes.

### Stretto

![Stretto](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/21b3ff80-bccc-4e05-9c37-5b69fa7ea312/cello-orchestra-.jpg)

- Stretto is where the subject is repeated on top of itself by different players. 
- This can make the piece sound more dramatic and exciting.
  - A Section – Bars 1 – 78.
  - B Section – Bars 79-232.
  - A Section – Bars 233 – 310.

## Melody

Ornamentation makes the melody more exciting!

### Ornamentation

![Ornamentation](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-11/22d7dc35-f763-4035-8aa7-93c3290b455d/music-flute-instrument-.jpg)

- Ornamentation makes the melody more exciting! For example: 
  - Trills.
  - Appoggiaturas (a grace note that takes time away from the note following it).
  - Acciaccaturas (a grace note that is played as quickly as possible).

### Ornamentation cont.

![Ornamentation cont.](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-05/d4c5f079-34b8-4c8f-85b1-26060eac9ee5/piano-keys-music-instrument-.jpg)

- Ornamentation makes the melody more exciting! For example:
  - Mordents (alternation between the notes surrounding the note that is written).
  - Scalic runs (moving up or down the scale).
- These all feature within the set work.

### Baroque period

![Baroque period](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-05/b910dd5e-db4f-4b68-97be-74bab6d5d9a6/organ-baroque-music-instrument-.jpg)

- Ornamentation is a key feature of the Baroque period in general.

### Other melodic devices

![Other melodic devices](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-05/3a390914-9b41-42c3-ab2e-792b9158ac1f/violin-music-instrument-.jpg)

- Bach uses other melodic devices in order to shape the music, such as:
  - Sequences (b.137).
  - Pedal notes (b.90-95).
  - Stretto (where the subject is repeated on top of itself) (b.64-68).
  - Cadences (musical punctuation).

### Basso continuo

![Basso continuo](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-05/f8abd86f-3040-4297-ac7a-e618c053a0d8/bass-clef-music-.png)

- The basso continuo is a continuous bass line which plays through the entire piece.

## Test yourself on Structure & Melody

- What type of musical form is the 3rd movement of the Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 in D Major written in?
- Which of the below is an example of ternary form?
- What do we call alternation between the notes surrounding the note that is written?
- Which of these bars in the 3rd movement of the Brandenburg Concerto feature pedal notes?

[Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/8a9f121c-bdb0-42db-bbd6-a88f8f723518/section/f3aafc7d-7b1d-4abf-be0f-dc6ac0841c8e/session)

- Previous topic: [2.1.1 Concerto No. 5 in D Major](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/2-1-1-concerto-no-5-in-d-major.md)
- Next topic: [2.1.3 Instrumentation & Texture](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/2-1-3-instrumentation-and-texture.md)

## Music: Edexcel GCSE contents

### 1 Musical Elements
- 1.1 Organisation of Pitch
  - [1.1.1 Melodic Pitch](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/1-1-1-melodic-pitch.md)
  - [1.1.2 Melodic Devices](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/1-1-2-melodic-devices.md)
  - [1.1.3 Harmonic Pitch](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/1-1-3-harmonic-pitch.md)
  - [1.1.4 Harmonic Devices](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/1-1-4-harmonic-devices.md)
  - [1.1.5 Harmonic Progressions](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/1-1-5-harmonic-progressions.md)
- 1.2 Tonality
  - [1.2.1 Major & Minor Tonality](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/1-2-1-major-and-minor-tonality.md)
  - [1.2.2 End of Topic Test - Musical Elements](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/1-2-2-end-of-topic-test-musical-elements.md)

### 2 Instrumental Music 1700–1820
- 2.1 Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 in D Major
  - [2.1.1 Concerto No. 5 in D Major](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/2-1-1-concerto-no-5-in-d-major.md)
  - [2.1.2 Structure & Melody](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/2-1-2-structure-and-melody.md)
  - [2.1.3 Instrumentation & Texture](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/2-1-3-instrumentation-and-texture.md)
  - [2.1.4 Harmony](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/2-1-4-harmony.md)
  - [2.1.5 Wider Listening](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/2-1-5-wider-listening.md)
- 2.2 Beethoven: Sonata ‘Pathétique’
  - [2.2.1 Piano Sonata No. 8](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/2-2-1-piano-sonata-no-8.md)
  - [2.2.2 Structure & Melody](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/2-2-2-structure-and-melody.md)
  - [2.2.3 Other Features](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/2-2-3-other-features.md)
  - [2.2.4 Wider Listening](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/2-2-4-wider-listening.md)
  - [2.2.5 End of Topic Test - Instrumental Music 1700–1820](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/2-2-5-end-of-topic-test-instrumental-music-1700-1820.md)

### 3 Vocal Music
- 3.1 Purcell: Music for a While
  - [3.1.1 Music for a While](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/3-1-1-music-for-a-while.md)
  - [3.1.2 Other Features](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/3-1-2-other-features.md)
  - [3.1.3 Wider Listening](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/3-1-3-wider-listening.md)
- 3.2 Queen: Killer Queen
  - [3.2.1 Killer Queen](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/3-2-1-killer-queen.md)
  - [3.2.2 Other Features](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/3-2-2-other-features.md)
  - [3.2.3 Wider Listening](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/3-2-3-wider-listening.md)
  - [3.2.4 End of Topic Test - Vocal Music](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/3-2-4-end-of-topic-test-vocal-music.md)

### 4 Music for Stage & Screen
- 4.1 Schwartz: Defying Gravity
  - [4.1.1 Defying Gravity](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/4-1-1-defying-gravity.md)
  - [4.1.2 Other Features](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/4-1-2-other-features.md)
  - [4.1.3 Wider Listening](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/4-1-3-wider-listening.md)
  - [4.1.4 End of Topic Test - Defying Gravity](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/4-1-4-end-of-topic-test-defying-gravity.md)
- 4.2 Williams: Star Wars Episode IV
  - [4.2.1 A New Hope](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/4-2-1-a-new-hope.md)
  - [4.2.2 Structure & Melody](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/4-2-2-structure-and-melody.md)
  - [4.2.3 Other Features](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/4-2-3-other-features.md)
  - [4.2.4 Wider Listening](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/4-2-4-wider-listening.md)
  - [4.2.5 End of Topic Test - Star Wars Episode IV](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/4-2-5-end-of-topic-test-star-wars-episode-iv.md)

### 5 Fusions
- 5.1 Afro Celt Sound System: Release
  - [5.1.1 Release](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/5-1-1-release.md)
  - [5.1.2 Other Features](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/5-1-2-other-features.md)
  - [5.1.3 Wider Listening](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/5-1-3-wider-listening.md)
- 5.2 Spalding: Samba Em Preludio
  - [5.2.1 Samba Em Preludio](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/5-2-1-samba-em-preludio.md)
  - [5.2.2 Structure & Melody](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/5-2-2-structure-and-melody.md)
  - [5.2.3 Other Features](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/5-2-3-other-features.md)
  - [5.2.4 Wider Listening](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/5-2-4-wider-listening.md)
  - [5.2.5 End of Topic Test - Fusions](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/5-2-5-end-of-topic-test-fusions.md)