trio
A composition for three performers, or the contrasting middle section of a minuet or scherzo.
In Depth
The word trio in minuet-and-trio form dates from the Baroque practice of scoring the contrasting section for only three instruments — even though modern trios use the full ensemble.
Related Terms
More in Form
Browse allA 32-bar song form consisting of four 8-bar sections: two statements of the theme, a contrasting bridge, and a return
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A palindromic musical structure that mirrors itself around a central axis, typically ABCBA
A self-contained song for a solo voice, typically in an opera or oratorio.
A period of medieval Western music from approximately 1170 to 1310, characterized by the development of early polyphony.
A musical style of the late medieval period (c. 1310–1377), notable for its rhythmic innovation and increased complexity.
A short, light piano piece, often of modest technical demands
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