An Overview of Hierarchical Structure in Music

After reviewing their theoretical approach, the authors present four kinds of hierarchical structure in music: grouping structure, metrical structure, time-span reduction, and prolongational reduction. A musical analysis is given to illustrate these structures. In the ensuing discussion, comparison is made with Schenker9s theory, the nonoverlapping condition on hierarchies is considered, and relationships among the hierarchical, associational, and implicative dimensions of musical structure are mentioned.