What does Ternary form mean in music?

Ternary form means "Three-section form: A — B — A".

What type of musical term is Ternary form?

Ternary form is a theory concepts term — see the Theory Practice glossary for the rest of the theory concepts word list.

What grade is Ternary form tested in?

Ternary form first appears at Grade 2 in ABRSM, AMEB and Trinity music theory exams, and stays in the syllabus for every grade above that.

Music theory · Musical terms · Theory concepts

Ternary form — meaning in music

Ternary form is a musical term meaning Three-section form: A — B — A. It is a theory concepts marking, first tested at Grade 2 in ABRSM, AMEB and Trinity music theory exams. From that grade on, every written paper expects you to know it on sight.

Definition

Three-section form: A — B — A

Theory conceptsFirst tested: Grade 2

Translations

French	Formulaire en trois sections : A — B — A
German	Dreiteilige Form: A – B – A
Italian	Modulo in tre sezioni: A — B — A
Spanish	Forma de tres secciones: A — B — A
Chinese	三段式：A — B — A

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All theory concepts terms

Allemande Alto range Anacrusis Answer phrase Arco Bar line Bass clef Bass range Binary form Bourrée Cello clef Cello range Chromatic semitone Compound interval Courante Crotchet (US name)Demisemiquaver Diatonic semitone Dominant Dominant (degree)Double bar line Double bass clef Double flat (𝄫)Double sharp (𝄪)Doubling rule Duplet Final bar line Flat Gavotte Gigue Harmonic minor scale Imperfect cadence Interrupted cadence Inversion of a 3rd Inversion of a 4th Inversion of a 5th Leading note Leger line Mediant Melodic minor scale (ascending)Melodic minor scale (descending)Minim (US name)Minuet Modulate to the dominant Modulate to the relative minor Modulation Natural Natural minor scale Parallel 5ths Parallel 8ves Perfect cadence Pivot chord Pizzicato Plagal cadence Quaver (US name)Question phrase Real sequence Relative minor of C major Relative minor of F major Relative minor of G major Repeat sign Sarabande Semibreve (US name)Semiquaver (US name)Semitone Sequence Sharp Slur Soprano range Stave (staff)Subdominant Subdominant (degree)Submediant Supertonic Tenor range Ternary form Tie Tonal sequence Tone Tonic Tonic (degree)Treble clef Triplet Viola clef Viola range Violin clef Violin range Voice crossing Voice overlap