AABA form

formay-ay-bee-ay formfrom English

A 32-bar song form consisting of four 8-bar sections: two statements of the theme, a contrasting bridge, and a return

In Depth

AABA form dominated American popular song from the 1920s through the 1950s and remains the structure of most jazz standards. The A sections present the main melody and harmonic progression; the B section (the bridge or middle eight) provides contrast in melody, harmony, and often key. The final A section returns to the opening material, sometimes with a modified ending. The form's balance of repetition and contrast makes it ideal for both composition and improvisation.
Did you know?

Over the Rainbow, I Got Rhythm, Body and Soul, and All the Things You Are are all AABA form — the structure behind the Great American Songbook.

Related Terms

song formbridgemiddle eightTin Pan Alley

More in Form

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head

The main melody of a jazz tune, played at the beginning and end with improvisation in between.

organum

An early form of polyphony in medieval music where one or more voices are added to a plainchant melody.

repeat sign

A notation symbol consisting of a double bar line with two dots, indicating that a passage should be played again

encore

An additional piece performed after the main programme in response to audience demand.

fantasia

A free-form composition that follows the composer's imagination rather than a strict formal pattern

theme

A principal musical idea on which a composition or section is based.

da capo

An instruction to return to the beginning of the piece. Abbreviated as D.C.

chaconne explained

A set of continuous variations over a repeating harmonic progression, closely related to the passacaglia

Keep Exploring

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