Can the diversity of song forms in use be entirely identified using conventional naming such as 32-bar A1A2?
This is an important question because if the existing naming scheme isn’t sufficient to identify all the forms in use we simply will not be able to name some song forms. That might mean we don’t get to use them in places like SongForm Rhythm Tracks.
Survey of 36-bar song forms
Let’s consider some songs that use 36-bar forms
| Song | SongForm Name | SongForm Code | Analysis |
| All The Things You Are | 36-bar ABC (36-bar AABC) |
16/8|12 (8|8/8|12) |
A clear bridge at bar 17. (The initial 16-bar section could be considered 2 x identical 8-bar sections) It is as if the final section is a final ‘A’ of an ‘AABA’ but extended by 4 bars. |
| Almost Like Being in Love | 36-bar ABC (36-bar AABC) |
16/8|12 (8|8/8|12) |
A clear bridge at bar 17. (The initial 16-bar section could be considered 2 x identical 8-bar sections) It is as if the final section is a final ‘A’ of an ‘AABA’ but extended by 4 bars. |
| 500 Miles High | 36-bar A1A2 | 18|18 | An classic ‘A1A2’ form. |
| I’m Old Fashioned | 36-bar ABC | 16|8|12 | True 16|8|12 with the first section necessarily being 16 bars long. |