How would we describe the structure of a piece of music?
The structure of a piece of music refers to the way its individual sections are organized and combined to create a cohesive whole. There are different ways to describe the structure of a piece of music, but one commonly used format is called "sonata form".
Sonata form typically has three main sections: exposition, development, and recapitulation. The exposition introduces the main themes of the piece, often in contrasting keys or moods. The development section takes these themes and transforms them through various techniques. The recapitulation brings the themes back in their original form, often in the same key as the exposition. Other structures in music include ABA form, ABAB form, Rondo form, Theme and Variation form, and Verse-Chorus form, among others. These structures can vary depending on the type of music and the composer's unique style.