Open Music Theory
OER Textbook Test

Classical theme types

The following diagrams outline the key internal characteristics and functional role of the various theme types presented in William Caplin’s Classical Form. Follow the links below for further explanation and examples.

See also Classical theme functions.

Sentence

For details, click here.

Period

For details, click here.

Hybrid themes

For further details, click here.

Compound themes

For further details, see Compound periods and Compound sentences.

Small Ternary

For further details, click here.

Small Binary

For further details, click here.