The Binary Form is one of the early music forms that composers have created in the 16th century of the Western music. Binary means two portions. This type of music has Part A and Part B. These two parts are related, but not the same. Usually, the portions of music are related by melodic or rhythmic ideas, sometimes both.
In the famous Johann Sebastien Bach's "Minuet in G Major" that Bach composed for Anna Magdalena in 1725, the two portions are connected by the rhythm of "Quarter and four Eighths" pattern.
JS Bach Minuet in G Major, BWV Anhang 114, from Notebooks for Magdalena |
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Another example of the use of Binary form can be found in the song "America, the Beautiful!" The music of this song was composed by Samuel A. Ward in 1883, while the lyrics was written by Katherine Lee Bates in 1895. The 1911 version of the lyrics is what we use currently.
The "Verse" portion of the song is considered Part A, and the "Chorus" portion is considered Part B, in a Binary form. This song starts with an Up-Beat; therefore, the Chorus/Part B starts on the last beat of measure 8. See the verses below.
"America, the Beautiful!" by Katherine Lee Bates and Samuel A. Ward |
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It could be easier for some people to read the lyrics in the following way:
1.O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
2.O beautiful for pilgrim feet,
Whose stern, impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!
3.O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refine,
Till all success be nobleness,
And every gain divine!
4.O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
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The next topic in this Music Theory site is all about "Ternary Form." Thank you for reading!