Cycles are also individual pieces of larger works, like the movements in a suite, symphony sonata, or string quartet.
In compositions of this genre, the chord progression may be repeated indefinitely, with melodic and lyrical variation forming the musical interest.
In Indian classical music, a specific rhythmic structure known as a tala is repeated through the length of the raga, and used as a basis for improvisation of the drum parts.
[4] This basic musical period has a bipartite structure; it comprises two rhythmically opposed cells of two beats each.
[7] In many sub-Saharan and Disapora musics, a key pattern, typically played on a bell, establishes the basic cycle or period.