Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/4-2-2-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 4.2.2

## Structure

The main theme is ternary (ABA) in structure.

### Ternary structure

![Ternary structure](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-11/5b2f7b84-802e-4b3c-9c56-162f3b6f1f59/radio-record-plant-.jpg)

- The main theme is ternary (ABA) in structure which includes:
  - An opening fanfare.
  - Link sections.
  - A march section.
  - A codetta.

### Fanfare

![Fanfare](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-05/bbdb9a9c-90d0-40aa-9914-f213e1c2dca0/fanfare-trumpet-royal-music-.jpg)

- A fanfare is a celebratory piece of music composed for brass instruments.
- It is usually used for an important ceremony or grand event. 
- Musically, a fanfare is short and loud.

### Codetta

![Codetta](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/1db090a7-3860-405a-9bad-2c3ca7ff31c0/Fast-Car-Speed-Quick-Blur-Light.jpg)

- The codetta is a short ending section that is fast and drives the piece towards its climax.

## Melody

The use of leitmotif is prevalent throughout Williams’ music and this set work is no exception.

### Leitmotif

![Leitmotif](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/bee3b772-a56b-48d1-82f2-260df4d0be8e/emotions-funny-face-.jpg)

- The use of leitmotif is prevalent throughout Williams’ music and this set work is no exception. 
- A leitmotif is a musical phrase or melody that represents a character, place or emotion.

### Examples

![Examples](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6c/Star_Wars_Logo.svg/1280px-Star_Wars_Logo.svg.png)

- The main melody is associated with Luke Skywalker the main protagonist within the Star Wars universe.
- Other famous leitmotifs are the Imperial March also written by Williams representing Darth Vader.

### Main melody

![Main melody](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-05/2fa15091-0d1f-41b5-888c-54a222a044a3/star-wars-Skywalker-luke-film-.jpg)

- The main melody is written in Bb major and the jump of a perfect 5th from Bb to F creates a strong and bold sound; perhaps reflecting the qualities of Luke Skywalker.

### Triplet rhythms

![Triplet rhythms](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/1ee50160-4d87-4c1a-8fd0-12815b32d8da/classical-music-sheetmusic.jpg)

- The triplet rhythms within the main melody add to its strength and power.

### Chromaticism

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

- Chromaticism (moving in semitones) is used in bar 28.
- The contrasting B Section has longer note durations within the main melody and is quieter with the lead taken by the woodwind section rather than the brass and strings.

## Test yourself on Structure & Melody

- What is the structure of the main theme?
- What is the name for a short ending section that is fast and drives the piece towards its climax?
- Which rhythm within the main melody adds to its strength and power?
- Which section of the orchestra takes the lead in the B Section?

[Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/8a9f121c-bdb0-42db-bbd6-a88f8f723518/section/a7e59b95-5990-4c11-9aaf-6ff054b2523c/session)

- Previous topic: [4.2.1 A New Hope](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/4-2-1-a-new-hope.md)
- Next topic: [4.2.3 Other Features](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/music/edexcel/4-2-3-other-features.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)