Sonata form is a form of music with a structure detailed below that is typically used in the first movement larger works (e.g., symphonies). Sonata form generally consists of three sections: exposition, development, and recapitulation (with repeats as shown below).
||: Exposition :|| ||: Development Recapitulation :||
Here is a list of common symbols used for annotating sonata form:
- P: primary theme group
- T: tonic; key of primary theme group
- S: secondary theme group
- X: key of secondary theme group
- T: transition
- K: closing
Exposition
Exposition creates tonal conflict.
General structure:
- theme 1 (home key) (primary theme group)
- often grand, ceremonial
- transition (modulate to another key)
- destabilize home key
- modulate to another key
- often a pause between its end and the second theme
- secondary theme group
- in second key
- often more lyrical and gentle
- closing
Development
The development section is the most free part in the sonata form. It may transform thematic materials or introduce new ones. At the end, it will retransition to the home key, leading to recapitulation.
Recapitulation
The recapitulation section resolves tonal conflict.
The general structure is as follows:
- theme 1 (home key)
- transition (stay)
- theme 2 (home key)
- closing