Song Writing 101
Song Writing
Song writing can connect to ANY content area, especially if you are writing songs ABOUT the content area. It is also a great ELA lesson!
2
Common Song Structure
Song structure is how a song is organized.
Pop songs commonly follow the structure on the right:
3
Song Parts
What do these terms even mean?
4
1.
Intro
This should catch the listener’s attention without being too overwhelming. The intro should establish the rhythm, tempo, and melody of the song. It may
Include a hook - A short
phrase repeated several
times.
2.
Verse
The first verse is the attention grabber, and makes you want to listen further. It starts the story of the song. The second verse continues the story.
3.
Pre-chorus
This is an optional part of a song. It is a place to experiment and break the pattern of the song, if the writer choose to do so.
4.
Chorus
This is where all of the big ideas from the song come together. The title is usually somewhere in the chorus, and it is typically the catchiest part of the song.
5.
Bridge
This only appears once (usually) between the second and third chorus. It’s intention is to change the pace of the song and serve as a climax.
6.
Outro
The outro is the end of the song, and it should be obvious to the listener that the song is coming to an end.
Can we identify any parts in this song?
11
For a songwriter, you don’t really go to songwriting school; you learn by listening to tunes. And you try to understand them and take them apart and see what they’re made of, and wonder if you can make one, too.
–Tom Waits
12
“
The Top-Down Songwriting Method
By starting with the title and concept, you are forced to stay focused on that as you write.
13
Concept
What is the concept or big idea of the song? What could a potential title be?
14
Now that you have a concept and title, how could you create a chorus about it?
Think about the rhyming pattern you’d like to use.
15
Verses
Verse 1
Tell the backstory, or the beginning of the story in this verse.
Verse 2
Continue the story where it left off at the end of the last verse.
16
Other Considerations...
Bridge
Will you add a bridge to your song between the second and third chorus? How could you break up the pattern of the song with this?
Pre-chorus
Could your song benefit from a pre-chorus part, between each verse and chorus? How could it build the intensity of the song?
Beat
While you are writing, consider the beat. Is it slow? Fast? Moderate? Does it change at different parts of the song?
17
18
A Good Friend
Verse 1:
Someone’s in my spot in line
Everything will turn out fine
All I have to do is stop
And say, “Excuse me that’s my spot!”
Chorus:
A good friend can share
Use words to show they care
A good friend can say
Kind words when they’re in our way
Verse 2:
Sometimes when I want to play
I forget what I’m supposed to say
All I have to do
Is ask, “Can I play too?”
Bridge:
Friends use words that are kind
When I stop and use my mind
I remember…
Thanks!
Special thanks to all the people who made and released these awesome resources for free:
19