The Military March Form

1. The Military March Form

2. The Military March Form All Military Marches Have: • Different Sections – Called Strains • Several separate melodies • A contrasting section – called the Trio

3. The Military March Form Sections of a March: • Introduction • First Strain • Second Strain • Introduction to the Trio (Optional) • Trio • Breakstrain (also called “dogfight”) • Grandioso (Trio Melody)

4. Military March Form Introduction • Also called a Fanfare • Usually 4, 8, or 16 measures long • Usually in a Marcato Style Sections of a March: Introduction First Strain Second Strain Introduction to the Trio (Optional) Trio Breakstrain (also called “dogfight”) Grandioso (Trio Melody)

5. Military March Form First Strain • Usually 8 or 16 measures long • Often 4 measure phrases • Repeats – sometimes with an added COUNTERMELODY Sections of a March: Introduction First Strain Second Strain Introduction to the Trio (Optional) Trio Breakstrain (also called “dogfight”) Grandioso (Trio Melody)

6. Military March Form Second Strain • Usually 16 measures long • Second primary melody that is heard • Melody often played by the low instruments Sections of a March: Introduction First Strain Second Strain Introduction to the Trio (Optional) Trio Breakstrain (also called “dogfight”) Grandioso (Trio Melody)

7. Military March Form Introduction to the Trio • Not always included • Might be a percussion soli Sections of a March: Introduction First Strain Second Strain Introduction to the Trio (Optional) Trio Breakstrain (also called “dogfight”) Grandioso (Trio Melody)

8. Military March Form Trio • Most contrasting section • Often played by the woodwinds • Third primary melody that is heard (often thought of as being the “main melody” of the march) • Almost always changes key signature • If the first key is MAJOR it usually adds one flat • If the first key is MINOR it usually changes to the relative or parallel major key • Why do you think this section is called the trio? Sections of a March: Introduction First Strain Second Strain Introduction to the Trio (Optional) Trio Breakstrain (also called “dogfight”) Grandioso (Trio Melody)

9. Military March Form Breakstrain (Dogfight) • A “break” between the first time the trio is heard and the last section where the trio melody is heard again • Loud, Intense, Marcato • Usually sounds like a “conversation” between the higher instruments and the lower instruments • Why do you think it is called the “dogfight” section? Sections of a March: Introduction First Strain Second Strain Introduction to the Trio (Optional) Trio Breakstrain (also called “dogfight”) Grandioso (Trio Melody)

10. Military March Form Grandioso • The trio melody is heard again • Usually much louder than the previous time the trio melody was heard • Sometimes adds another “countermelody” Sections of a March: Introduction First Strain Second Strain Introduction to the Trio (Optional) Trio Breakstrain (also called “dogfight”) Grandioso (Trio Melody)

11. Military March Form Example: Stars and Stripes Forever • Introduction: 0:00 – 0:08 • First Strain: 0:08 – 0:40 • Second Strain: 0:40 – 1:08 • Trio: 1:08 – 1:38 • Break (dogfight): 1:38 – 2:02 • Trio (w/ added countermelody): 2:02 – 2:32 • Repeat of Dogfight: 2:32 – 2:55 • Grandioso (trio melody w/ countermelody): 2:55 - End Sections of a March: Introduction First Strain Second Strain Introduction to the Trio (Optional) Trio Breakstrain (also called “dogfight”) Grandioso (Trio Melody)