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A musical form that consists of variations over a repeating short bass line or harmonic progression. Bach's Passacaglia and Fugue in C minor is an example.

A set of continuous variations on a chord progression, historically a slow, stately dance. An example is Bach's 'Chaconne' from Partita No. 2 in D minor for solo violin.

A pre-existing melody forming the basis of a polyphonic composition. An example of this is Martin Luther's hymn 'Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott', used by Bach in several compositions.

A type of German song, typically for solo voice with piano accompaniment, that is particularly linked with the Romantic era. Schubert's 'Gretchen am Spinnrade' is an example.

A musical phrase or motif that is persistently repeated in the same musical voice. An example is the bass line in Pachelbel's 'Canon in D'.

An orchestral music piece that illustrates or evokes the content of a poem, story, novel, painting, or other non-musical source. Smetana's 'The Moldau' is an example.

A form of vocal chamber music that originated in the Italian Renaissance, characterized by through-composed settings of secular texts. 'Il Bianco e Dolce Cigno' by Arcadelt is an example.

A short, light instrumental piece of music of no specified form, often for piano. Beethoven's 'Bagatelle No. 25 in A minor', commonly known as 'Für Elise', is one of the most famous examples.

A musical structure with two distinct sections (A-B). Each section is usually repeated. 'Greensleeves' is an example of a piece in binary form.

A song structure where all verses or stanzas of the text are sung to the same music. 'Amazing Grace' is an example of strophic form.

A contrapuntal composition in which a short melody or phrase (the subject) is introduced by one part and successively taken up by others. Bach's 'The Well-Tempered Clavier' contains several fugues.

A musical structure consisting of three main sections: exposition, development, and recapitulation, often followed by a coda. An example piece is Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 in C minor, I.

A three-part musical structure where the third section is a repeat or variation of the first (A-B-A). 'Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star' is an example.

A form where each verse or stanza has unique music, rather than repeating. Schubert's 'Erlkönig' is written in through-composed form.

Music in which some element of the composition is left to chance or the performer's discretion. John Cage's 'Music of Changes' is an example.

A musical composition that is inspired by, or evocative of, the night. Chopin's 'Nocturne in E-flat Major, Op. 9, No. 2' is an iconic example.

A form used in the Baroque concerto grosso, where the main theme alternates with contrasting episodes. An example is Vivaldi's 'Spring' from 'The Four Seasons'.

The relationship between two or more musical lines which are harmonically interdependent yet independent in rhythm and melodic contour. Bach's 'Art of the Fugue' demonstrates extensive counterpoint.

A form consisting of two different sections, minuet (A) and trio (B), resulting in an A-B-A structure. Often found as the third movement of a classical symphony, string quartet, or similar. An example is Mozart's Minuet from 'Eine kleine Nachtmusik'.

An ordered set of instrumental or orchestral pieces normally performed in a concert setting. Bach's 'Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major' is commonly performed.

A form where after the initial theme is presented, it is altered in successive repetitions (variations). An example piece is Beethoven's 'Diabelli Variations'.

A chord progression that lasts for twelve bars and typically uses three chords in a specific pattern. An example piece is 'Sweet Home Chicago'.

A musical form for arias, common in the Baroque era, that consists of two sections with the first section repeated after the second section's close, leading to an A-B-A form. Handel's 'Lascia ch'io pianga' is an example.

A type of instrumental composition based on a narrative with a dramatic character. Chopin's 'Ballade No. 1 in G minor, Op. 23' is a well-known example.