What is a sonata form?

A sonata form is a musical structure that originated from a ternary form (a three part form); coming into recognition in the early Classical era. Despite variations in the form, the general form consists of three main sections. Although the term sonata also refers to a larger musical form, e.g. piano sonata, the structure refers to the inner organisation of a smaller form. The first section of the form is the exposition. The exposition is in the tonic key (the "home" key) and generally modulates to the dominant. It generally consists of two constrasting subjects (or themes) the first subject and the second subject. The development includes further modulatory exploration and develops the themes of the exposition but generally they are less recognisable than the first statements. The development acts as a preparation for the return of the tonic ("home" key) in the form of the recapitulation, the third part of the form. In most sonata forms the recapitualtion contains a restatement of the first two subjects followed by an extended ending; generally termed a coda. The primary purpose of the recapitulation is to bring the piece firmly back to the tonic key; giving a strong ending to the movement. 

IP
Answered by Isabella P. Music tutor

6567 Views

See similar Music A Level tutors

Related Music A Level answers

All answers ▸

How can I figure out the key of a piece?


Highlight and explain the interest of an harmonic feature from the 2nd mvt. of Schubert's Piano Trio in Bb.


Compare and constrast the use of melody and instrumentation in Schoenberg's Der Kranke Mond from Pierrot Lunaire


How did the first movement of Beethoven’s ‘Eroica’ rework the formal conventions of the classical symphony?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning