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Songwriting Structure Knowledge of songwriting
structures is important for writing understandable, listener-friendly
songs. Song elements such as the
verse, hook, and chorus are usually incorporated in a few standard |
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ways. Using the structures below can help shape
any musical ideas into an organized, tight composition. First, how could we define
the most common song elements? The verse contains information that sets
the scene, such as introduction of characters and emotional tone. The verse leads up to the chorus, or refrain, which is generally
the strongest, catchiest, and most memorable part of the song. The chorus often contains the hook, or the central theme of the
piece. The hook is often a catchy
phrase with a distinct feel, meant to be repeated and to stand at the center
of the song. Finally, the bridge is usually a departure from the
other parts of the song, used to provide a release or add another dimension. These elements are usually
combined in the following most common structures: Verse – Verse – Verse Verse – Chorus – Verse –
Chorus – Verse – Chorus Verse – Chorus – Verse –
Chorus – Bridge – Chorus Verse – Verse – Bridge –
Verse The first structure, which
we could also call AAA, is an older structure. Each verse or A section has the same melody
but different lyrics. The section is
usually eight bars long. The repeating
verse structure makes for an easy sing-along type of tune, but at the same
time the melody needs to be very strong so as to bear the singular
repetition. The second structure could
also be called ABABAB. This introduces
the chorus into the pattern, allowing for a change from the verse. At the same time, this structure can easily
become somewhat boring, and again requires a strong melody in the verse to
hold the listener’s attention. The third structure, which
we could also call ABABCB, is the most popular structure in modern popular
music and on the radio. It allows for
variety by alternating between chorus and verse. It allows for repetition of the chorus, to
increase memorability and exposure to the hook. It also allows the bridge—usually four or
eight bars—to provide a further fresh section and build energy, before
returning to the final chorus. The fourth structure, or
AABA, is also a fairly popular means of organization. The first verse sets up the scene and
provides an introduction, while the second verse further develops the same
ideas. The B section provides a
departure from the first ideas, adding suspense, or shedding new light on the
themes. Finally the third verse serves
as a return to the initial ideas and provides a conclusion. These four structures
provide the most common and most reliable ways of forming well put-together
songs. There are also possibilities
for modification, such as placing the chorus first or merging and cutting the
sections, which one can experiment with after understanding the fundamental
concepts. Overall these structures
provide basic tools for shaping ideas and hooks into workable pieces of
music. |
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This
article was adapted in part from The
Everything Songwriting Book |
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,
by C.J. Watson, and |
All articles (c) 1999-2006 by LIFTOFF! |