Period (music)

In the musical morphology and the composition of the term period refers to a structure unit in sequence and structure of a musical piece. The period is in two parts and consists of an antecedent and a consequent equal length (keyword: symmetry). The antecedent ends open ( often on the dominant ), the consequent ends finally (usually on the tonic ).

Ideally, the period has a length of eight bars, with four bars account for antecedent and consequent, often ( not always) are themselves divided in each 2 2 cycles. But periods can be four or sechzehntaktig. Deviations from the norm are quite symmetrical ago. A period can vary in individual cases, for example, seven - or nine - held achttaktig.

Together with the set so their related listed (see below ) is the period in the Classical and Romantic periods, the prevailing model for the formation of syntactic units.

The set

The term " set " in definition as syntactic unit was introduced by Erwin Ratz as a counterpart to the period and in this context is in use, despite the difficult multiple occupancy of the term. In contrast to the period versa in a sentence the first phrase of the antecedent already directly in the second phrase of the antecedent (identical or changed, for example sequenced ) again, then is either developed or contrasted by new material and often end up (eg by half circuit) is kept open. The ideal-typical (2 2 ) (2 2) cycles of the period ( in the form A - B - A ' - C) So in the block 2 2 4 cycles ( in the form A - A' - B) opposite. The sentence is in contrast to the period usually characterized by a propulsive, developing character. The sentence is the result of the baroque Fort spin -drying type.