Sonata form Facts for Kids

Simplest sonata form pattern and its relation to binary form.

Sonata form is a special way to build a piece of music. Composers have used it a lot since the Classical period. This started in the mid-1700s. To really understand it, it helps to listen to music that uses this form. Knowing a bit about different musical keys is also useful.

Sonata form is not just for sonatas. You can find it in parts of symphonies, concertos, and overtures. It is a very popular way to organize music.

How Sonata Form Started
- Music Before Sonata Form
- Early Steps Towards Sonata Form
What is Sonata Form?
Why Sonata Form is Important
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How Sonata Form Started

Music Before Sonata Form

Before sonata form, in the Baroque period, composers like Bach and Handel wrote many dance pieces. These often included minuets. These pieces were usually in "binary form."

Binary form means the music has two main sections. These sections were often about the same length. They were usually separated by a double bar line. This meant each section was played twice.

The music in binary form did not stay in the same key. The first part would change to a new key. Then, the second part would slowly change back to the original key. This made the music sound complete at the end.

Early Steps Towards Sonata Form

Domenico Scarlatti wrote many sonatas for the harpsichord. Most of these were in binary form. However, his pieces started to become longer and more complex.

In Scarlatti's music, the first section would begin with a main tune in the home key. Then, it would change to a different key for a new, contrasting tune. The second section might be longer than the first. It would explore many different keys before returning to the main tunes. This style of music was the beginning of what we now call sonata form.

What is Sonata Form?

Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven helped to develop sonata form. A movement written in sonata form has three main parts. These parts are called:

Exposition
Development
Recapitulation

The Exposition Section

In the exposition, you hear all the main musical ideas.

First, there is a main tune, or group of tunes. These are played in the main key of the piece.
Then, the music changes to a related key. Here, you hear a different tune or group of tunes. This second key is often the "dominant" key. This means it is built on the fifth note of the main key's scale.
If the main key is minor, the second tune might be in the "relative major" key.

The Development Section

The development section is where the music gets exciting.

The musical ideas from the exposition are changed and explored.
The music moves through many different keys.
This part often feels unstable and full of tension. It makes the listener want to hear the music return to the main key.

The Recapitulation Section

In the recapitulation, the exposition comes back.

The main tunes are heard again.
However, this time the end of the section changes. It makes sure the music finishes in the main key.
This part feels like the tension has gone. It gives the listener a happy and complete feeling.

Why Sonata Form is Important

This way of building music was used by almost every composer. It was popular from the mid-1700s well into the 1900s. Sonata form allows for very dramatic and exciting pieces of music.

Composers sometimes use sonata form in their own unique ways. Often, the whole piece feels like it is developing, not just the "development section." For example, the first movement of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony constantly develops its famous opening idea. This is the "DA-DA-DA-DAAAA" sound. Even the other three movements of the symphony continue to develop this idea.