Teaching Form

Form is the way a song is put together. Sections of music are labeled using the letters of the alphabet starting with A. If sections of the music are the same, those sections get the same letter. If a section is different, that section is labeled with the next letter of the alphabet.

When I type a PowerPoint, I place the label in the title bar and the lyrics below, usually in 44 font (sometimes bold). The labels may read Introduction, Interlude, Coda, Verse, Refrain/Chorus, Transition, Section A, Section B, Section C, Call, Response and so forth. I also duplicate the first slide and place it at the end of the song. It can be quite irritating to have to start the slide over again after the last slide has been advanced.

With the last slide showing the title of the song and its arranger, composer or country of origin. I ask the students what is the form of the song? How was the song put together? I have found that most students do not read the title bar, they simply read the lyrics. The students who read the title bar can usually answer the question.

My final suggestion is to place the form and definitions of terms at the end of the slide show. That way, the teacher can reinforce what has just been taught and the students will be able to identify the form of the song.