Rhyme and Reason: The Well Crafted Genius of Sonata Form and Pop Songs

Jul 30, 2018
5 min read

“Sonata form” could be considered the pop song of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Like the pop song, once it originated, sonata form was commonly used and varied to suit the needs of the music. There is no secret behind the popularity of both forms - they just work. I think of sonata form and a good pop song as a really good meal: not too much or too little, just completely satisfying.

Sonata Form

Sonata form came about in the Classical period (1), mainly due to the development of the genre of the symphony. Sonata form may also be referred to as “first movement form” because it was often the form used for the first movement of a instrumental works including symphonies, chamber music, and concertos.

Sonata from breaks down into three main sections:

Exposition – presents different themes: a primary theme first, followed by a secondary theme and a closing theme at the end of the movement; each theme is connected by a transition; each theme is distinct and contrasts with the others; the exposition section is usually repeated.

Development – the themes are developed, or treated in new ways; often dramatic - the themes that were presented in the exposition are broken into short musical ideas and / or combined with new ideas; builds tension that demands a musical resolution; proves you can alter a theme without it losing its identity.

Recapitulation – provides a much needed resolution; the themes from the exposition return; recaps all the themes that were presented in the exposition.

The recapitulation is often followed by a concluding section called the coda, which really finishes off a movement by repeating themes or developing them further. It provides an even more powerful feeling of conclusion. (a)

It is important to note that sonata form relies heavily on key and thematic relationships. While sonata form continued to dominate in later periods of music history, just like other forms, it was adapted and varied greatly to suit the time period and different types of expression.

For our purposes here, below is a very general representation of sonata form (a):

Pop songs

Let’s face it: a good pop song is golden. But their popularity and longevity is not accidental - there is a general formula that is often followed.

Pop songs most often consist of relatively simple harmony - usually four chords, give or take one. They often have what is considered a singable melody - something that lends itself very well to being replicated car or the shower. Pop songs rely on repetition but, more importantly, a balance of repetition and variation. They are usually up tempo and / or have a strong, identifiable beat. Pop songs also often implement what is considered “musical incongruity” – something unexpected, to get your attention and stick in your head. (b)

Below is an extremely general representation of a pop song:

Comparison

Of course, there are many, many variations to this general outline. (c) And the answer to the question, “Are Pop Songs in Sonata Form?” is, essentially: No. (d) (2) My purpose is to do a simple, parallel comparison of sonata form and pop song form. (e) Therefore, instead of drilling deeper, the idea is to think broader. I’m inclined to Heinrich Christoph Koch’s early diagram of sonata form. It was part of his treatise of 1793, before the three major sections of the more recent concept of sonata form were identified. “His description does not coincide with textbook sonata form, but it is flexible enough not to exclude it.”(f)

Koch breaks it down like so: a first movement of an early classical instrumental work would have three “periods” within two main divisions. “Main themes (MT)” contrasted with “other ideas (OI)” are presented in Period 1, main themes (MT) are renewed and varied other ideas (OI) are presented in Period 2, and ideas from the first period (MT + OI) are renewed in Period 3.

Period 1: MT + OI :||: Period 2: MT + OI Period 3: MT + OI (from Period 1) :||

To “drill up” further, basically you have main themes, presented along with and contrasting with other ideas, all of which may be repeated (:||) , renewed, or varied.

Both sonata form and pop songs rely on a combination of similar elements that emphasize:

Balance: both sonata form and pop songs rely on the balance of familiar material vs. not-familiar and not-so familiar material.
Departure & return: other ideas are presented that depart from the main themes that are established in the exposition of sonata form and the first verse and chorus of a pop song. In a sonata form movement, material from Period 1 returns in Period 3; in a pop song, the material presented in the first verse & chorus returns toward the end of the song via another verse, a pre-chorus, the chorus, and / or a tag.
Tension & resolution: the point of the development section in a sonata form movement is to build tension that is resolved in the recapitulation; the singable melody of most pop songs is a balance of tension and release. Pop songs also build tension with other material in the bridge or transition section that is resolved by the end of the song.
Anticipation: straying away from main ideas and then returning to something familiar in the recapitulation or the ending of a pop song has a great effect on the listener. It speaks to human nature; it emphasizes a feeling of completion and natural human tendency of anticipation and recognition.(g)
Contrast: both sonata form and pop songs depend on contrasting familiar (main themes: themes presented in exposition; verse and chorus) with not-so-familiar (other ideas: development; bridge, transitions, pre/post-chorus) material.

Again, I can not express enough that both sonata form and pop songs were subject to great amounts of variety - this is another thing they have in common that makes both of them so accessible and timeless. Both forms provide an exceptional vehicle for expression within “confinements.” It is also important to note that form is not as stifling as it seems. Going back to the genesis of sonata form: “...symphonic form was created and recreated in so many works that composers must have found it liberating rather than a confining formal concept.” (h) I have a feeling this is why gourmet cupcake and gelato cafes are so popular - it is the same product with a ton of variety. As human beings, we love it. The brilliance of both sonata form and a good pop song is the ability to do remarkable things within “confinements.” Both are perfectly packaged to be concise yet complete, accessible yet sophisticated.

Click here for the graphic conclusion!

Say What?

(1) Roughly, and I mean roughly, 1720-1800

(2) A case can certainly be made that pop songs are in what is called a Rondo form, which is based on refrains that contrast with episodes; see Open Music Theory: http://openmusictheory.com/popRockForm.html

Giving Props:

(a) Kamien, Roger. Music: An Appreciation. 9th ed. New York: McGraw Hill, 2008

(b) Why Are Pop Songs So Dang Catchy? Two Minute Music Theory #20: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xR2e8B8bAE8

(d) Music Theory Bridges: https://musictheorybridges.wordpress.com/2017/01/21/sonata-form-and-pop-music/

(e) Think Like a Cellist: https://thinklikeacellist.wordpress.com/2015/02/25/sonata-form-and-the-modern-pop-song/

(f) Donald J. Grout & Claude V. Palisca. A History of Western Music. 6th ed. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc., 2001

(g) Don’t Scoff at Sonata Form: the Human Structure of Song and Narrative: http://juliewuauthor.com/?p=18940

(h) Pauly, Reinhard G. Music in the Classic Period. 4th ed. Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall, 2000.

(i) Song DNA: http://songdna.blogspot.com/2009/12/every-breath-you-take-police-song-form.html

Shows Spring 2018

Jade Bird / Live at Aloft Hotels / SXSW / Austin, TX / March 14, 2018

Bishop Briggs / Live at Aloft Hotels / SXSW / Austin, TX / March 14, 2018

Cut Copy / Austin, TX / March 30, 2018

University of Texas Symphony Orchestra / Austin, TX / April 3, 2018

Randy Rogers / San Marcos, TX / April 19, 2018

Dave Matthews Band / The Woodlands, TX / May 18, 2018

Dave Matthews Band / Dallas, TX / May 19, 2018

Dave Matthews Band / Austin, TX / May 22, 2018

Depeche Mode / San Antonio, TX / May 27, 2018

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