形式主义 in 音乐 is often 基于 on assumptions that 音乐 有 'grammars' and 'syntaxes' that may be conceived of and manipulated in 正式（形式） ways Therefore it implies the 使用 of any 本质 or extrinsic 系统 in the 创作 of micro- and/or macro-structures in 音乐

形式主义 is also sometimes used in 艺术 as the 总和 总 of the whole and the 关系 of its parts