What is binary form music?

Binary form is a musical structure consisting of two sections, typically repeated. The first section, called the antecedent, is often characterized by a rising melodic contour and a "question" or "unfinished" feeling at its end. The second section, called the consequent, usually begins with a contrasting melodic idea and ends with a more conclusive or "settled" feeling.

Binary form is commonly found in classical music, particularly in the Baroque and Classical periods. It is often used in dance movements, such as the minuet and the gavotte.

Here is a diagram of binary form:

Antecedent || Consequent

||: A :|| :| B :||

The antecedent is repeated before the consequent, creating a structure of AABB. However, sometimes the antecedent is not repeated, resulting in a structure of AB.

Here are some examples of binary form music:

* "Gavotte en rondeaux" from Johann Sebastian Bach's Partita No. 2 for Violin in D Minor

* "Rondo alla Turca" from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Sonata for Piano in A Major, K. 331

* "Minuet in G Major" from Ludwig van Beethoven's Symphony No. 8