Click on the music to hear the motive.
Motive - the smallest identifiable musical
idea. It may be rhythm or melodic.
Phrase - a succession of notes leading to a cadence
Antecedent phrase - usually ends in a half cadence
or IAC
Consequent phrase - usually ends in an authentic
cadence
Period - a combination of antecedent phrase followed
by a consequent phrase
Parallel period - a period in which the two phrases
begin similarly
Contrasting period - The two phrases are lacking
similarity
Extended period - Usually 3 phrases instead of 2;
the extra phrase may be an antecedent phrase or a consequent phrase
Double period - Two periods in which the 2nd phrase
of the 1st period does not end in the conventional authentic cadence
Motive
Click on the music to hear the motive.
Phrase
Click on the music to hear the phrase.
Parallel Period
In this period there exists an antecedent phrase (bracketed with a label, a), which ends in a half cadence. This is followed by a phrase which begins identically to the first phrase (thus the a'), but ending differently. The second, consequent phrase ends on perfect authentic cadence (PAC) completing the period. Since the two phrases begin alike, this is labeled a parallel period.
Click on the music to hear the parallel period.
Contrasting Period
In this period once again the antecedent phrase ends in a half cadence. The consequent phrase does not have the same melodic patter as the previous phrase, therefore we label it with a b, indicating that is does not resemble the first phrase. This consequent phrase does end in a PAC bringing closure to the period. The two phrases being dissimilar renders this a contrasting period.
Click on the music to hear the contrasting period.
Extended Period
In this period the antecedent phrase (a) ends in a half cadence. The consequent phrase (b, because it is not similar to a) ends in an authentic cadence, but it is IAC due to the third in the melody. This raises the question as to whether it is really ending. When the next phrase (which begins like the second phrase) ends on a PAC, we finally feel like the period is ended. So this particular extended period has phrases three phrases, a - b - b'.
Click on the music to hear the extended period.
Double Period
Below is a double period. If you check closely you will see that there are four phrases. The first phrase (a) is an antecedent ending in a half cadence. The consequent phrase should end on an authentic cadence closing the period. But as you can see, the second phrase (b) ends on a half cadence. This is a signal that something unusual is happening. Looking further we see that the next phrase is just like the first phrase again ending on a half cadence. Still no finality. Finally the fourth phrase ends on a PAC and the music seems to be complete. The fourth phrase begins as did the second phrase, but it ends differently, thus the b' designation. Since the second phrase did not complete the period, we interpret the whole example as a double period. There are two separate periods, but the first one does not come to a conclusion and depends on the second period for its finality. The two periods begin alike so we label this as a parallel double period.
Click on the music to hear the double period.
If you still have questions, contact Dr. Bartolotta at wbartolo@odu.edu.