Seven Examples of Periodic Structure Analysis

Marek Podhajski

For the purposes of teaching musical analysis to undergraduate students in various majors, the author proposes a brief and a full version of periodic structures analysis, describing features of both types. As examples of brief analyses, the author suggests analyses of selected Fryderyk Chopin’s Mazurkas from Op. 7, Op. 17, Op. 30, Op. 33, Op. 41, and Op. 50. The analysis of each of the seven mazurkas includes three levels: basic, microformal, and macroformal. The methodology applied is a part of a broader theoretical and pedagogical framework and involves both basic music theory terminology and specific musical forms. The author addresses issues such as characteristics of the period, relationships between sentences in the period, and types of periodic forms, such as simple periods, first-degree higher-order periods, and other periodic constructions.

Keywords: mazurkas, periodic structure, piano music

DOI: generating in process

Source(s), object(s) and method(s) of analysis

Source(s) of analysisScore

Musical workMazurka in A Minor Op. 17 No. 4, Mazurka in A Minor Op. 7 No. 2, Mazurka in B Minor Op. 33 No. 4, Mazurka in B-flat Major Op. 17 No. 1, Mazurka in C-sharp Minor Op. 30 No. 4, Mazurka in C-sharp Minor Op. 41 No. 1, Mazurka in C-sharp Minor Op. 50 No. 3

Year of creation1824–1831, 1831–1833, 1835–1837, 1838–1839, 1841–1842

Composer's nameFryderyk Chopin

Methods of analysisConventional / Traditional analysis, Formal analysis, Structural analysis

Target group / Study level

Level of Music Analysis knowledgeBeginner, Intermediate

Study cycleBachelor, Master

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