Sonata form is the most important form in Classic music. The form was used for almost all first movements of Classical instrument music. Sonata form is not only used in sonatas, but also of symphonies. String quartets, and many other genres. Because the Sonata form was used for the movements of many different genres, it is sometimes called "first movement form."

The sonata form could not be used by anyone, but instead the intellectually inclined. It takes much practice to fully understand and utilize the full potential of the sonata form. Once it is understood, many classical music secrets are revealed.

There are three sections to sonata form: the exposition, the development, and the recapitulation. The exposition begins in the tonic key and presents the opening material of the piece. The exposition ends with a clear cadence. Normally in Classic sonata form the exposition is played twice. The development section has a variety of keys. It usually changes quickly from key to key and mixes up short phrases of previous material. The development dramatically leads up to the recapitulation. The recapitulation brings back all the music of the exposition, but with one major change: The material that was previously played in the second key is now played in the home key, so that the movement can end in the key in which it began. Sometimes there is a short section added to the end of a sonata form move to round it off. This short section is called the coda.

The most important place to listen carefully in a sonata form movement is right at the beginning. If you remember the sound of the beginning of the exposition, you will be able to recognize the recapitulation when it comes, because it brings back the same music. Also, with practice, you will be able to recognize the development section, because it changes key a lot and it contains a lot of turbulence. It sounds as though the material of the exposition had been thrown into a blender and was being cut up and tossed around.

SONATA FORM

Melodic Material Key

Exposition A & B 1st & 2nd

Development (pieces of A & B) Variety

Recapitulation A & B 1st & 1st

Coda (cadence) 1st