Sentence

BI: Basic Idea

BI(r): Basic Ideia (repeated)
Frag. (Dev.): Fragmentation (or development)
CI: Cadential Idea

BI: Basic Idea

CI: Cadential Idea
PRESENTATION + CONTINUATION: MOZART, K. 283, I, MM. 110

ANTECEDENT + CONSEQUENT: HAYDN, PIANO TRIO IN C MAJOR,

HOB. XV:27, III, MM. 1-8
The Sentence

What is a musical sentence?

In its most simplest sense, the musical sentence is an 8 measure theme, that consists
of two different semi-phrases (presentation, continuation and cadential). Each sem-
iphrase accomplishes different formal functions.

The archetypal sentence, consists of two, 4 bar semi-phrases. These are the
presentation phrase (4 bar), and continuation phrase (4 bar). Contained within the
continuation phrase, is the cadence.

1. The Presentation Phrase (Basic idea and Repetition)

This musical phrase normally establishes the tonic, or the home key. It states a basic
idea. This basic idea can have any number of motives, but you dont want to
overwhelm your listeners with confusion, so normally you will have one or two
motives at most. After the basic idea is stated, it is normally repeated. In order for this
repetition to establish the home key better, it will have to fall into one of three
categories: exact, statement-response, or model-sequence

Exact Repetition

This is just as it sounds. You have an exact copy of the basic idea.
 Model-Sequence

This type of repetition is usually transposition of the melody up or down in diatonic

sequence. It is called model sequence because the first statement is considered the
model, the second the sequence.

Statement-Response

This is probably the most common type of repetition in a sentence, especially an

opening sentence. The basic idea is stated, and although is a fully contained unit, it
has a force that wants to continue. Stating the basic idea in tonic, the best way to
move it along and establish the home key even more, is to restate the basic idea in
dominant. Normally, the melody only changes enough to fit the new harmony, and is
not drastically changed in terms of where it sits on the staff or range. This also gives
the sense of a response to the first statement. Lets also continue on with the rest of
the sentence.
 2. Continuation Phrase (Development and Cadential Idea)

After the presentation phrase, we follow up the music sentence with a continuation
phrase. The continuation phrase can have the same types of repetition as the
presentation phrase, but it also has some other unique characteristics. These are:
Harmonic Acceleration, Fragmentation, Liquidation and a Cadential Idea.

Harmonic Acceleration

This is speeding up the time change of the underlying harmony. In the presentation
phrase, the harmonic speed is one chord for two bars. In the continuation it starts as
one chord per bar, and then speeds up in bar 7 to two chords per bar.

Fragmentation

This is basically what it sounds like. You break up the basic idea into smaller
fragments, usually one of the unique motives. You can use this for the repetition.

Liquidation

If you take a look at bar 7, youll notice that the melody starts to get very simple,
leading into two half-notes. This is called liquidation, and it is stripping away the
uniqueness of the melody and simplifying it.

Cadential Idea

This is basically ending your theme with a cadence. In this case, I chose to leave it
open with a half-cadence. Normally you would not end your first sentence on an
authentic cadence, unless you had a half-cadence within the presentation phrase.
Sentence Form?

(SYMPHONY N 3 J. BRAHMS)

(SYMPHONY N 3 J. BRAHMS)
(F. CHOPIN, NOCTURNE IN F MINOR, OP. 55, N 1)
(PIANO CONCERTO NO.2, OP.19 L. V. BEETHOVEN)
The Three Types of Sentences

1) Simple sentence
Simple sentence model with 2-bar development

Simple sentence model with 3-bar development

2) Sentences with Delayed Fragmentation or No Fragmentation

Model for sentence with delayed fragmentation

Model for sentence with no fragmentation (NF sentence)

3) Expanded Sentences

Expanded sentence model with additional repetitions of the basic idea

Expanded sentence model with a lengthened development

Model with a lengthened cadential idea

more:
https://symposium.music.org/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=10629:a-
taxonomy-of-sentence-structures&Itemid=124