The Sentence

$ \newcommand{\lt}{<} \newcommand{\gt}{>} \newcommand{\amp}{&} \definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9} \newcommand{\fillinmath}[1]{\mathchoice{\colorbox{fillinmathshade}{$\displaystyle \phantom{\,#1\,}$}}{\colorbox{fillinmathshade}{$\textstyle \phantom{\,#1\,}$}}{\colorbox{fillinmathshade}{$\scriptstyle \phantom{\,#1\,}$}}{\colorbox{fillinmathshade}{$\scriptscriptstyle\phantom{\,#1\,}$}}} $

Section 13.2 The Sentence

A sentence in music is a phrase with a specific melodic construction: a melodic idea (motive 1 or subphrase a) is either repeated or sequenced then followed by either related or unrelated material leading to a cadence.

In this first example, Mozart sequences motive 1 from measure 1 down a step in measure 2. Measure 3 contains related material and measure 4 contains cadential material.

Figure 13.2.1. Sentence Structure in Mozart, K. 331, I

In the next example, Beethoven changes the intervals of subphrase a in measures 3–4 to fit the dominant harmony. He extracts motive 2 from subphrases a and a’ in measures 5–6. Measures 7–8 lead to a half cadence.

Figure 13.2.2. Sentence Structure in Beethoven, Op. 2, No. 1, I

In the next example, unrelated material follows subphrase a and its repetition.

Figure 13.2.3. Sentence Structure in Mozart, K. 333, I (1783)

Music Theory for the 21st-Century Classroom

Search Results:

Section 13.2 The Sentence