PROD 1061 Song Structures

All art has form, A methodology to fix dysfunctional songs and to aid us in song composition., Form is NOT formula

Intro, Verse, Chorus, Pre Chorus, Bridge, Solo Section, Outro/ Coda

The beginning, the entry into the song., creating a mood or event to draw listener in

The Rover-Led Zeppelin Produced by Jimmy Page, Stairway to Heaven-Led Zeppelin Produced by Jimmy Page, Sandman-Metallica Produced by Bob Rock

Walking to a party., Eventless intro that runs through the form of the song without melodic context.

Beautiful recorder solo gives the intro context, Sets the mood of the song.

Slowly evolving intro builds drama and tension.

Tells the story, Stanzas, like poetry, Dynamically low, (usually), Usually a bit different each time

Sets up the chorus or bridge between verse and chorus, The Climb, Dynamic change that will set up the chorus.

The payoff, the theme, the title, dynamically high (usually)., The dynamic shift need not be huge, just noticeable., Lyrical hook., Typically repeats the same way each time.

Come Together-The Beatles, You Belong With Me-Taylor Swift, Rude-Magic! Produced by Adam Messinger

Melody rises in the chorus. Instrumentation rises modestly for the chorus. All the lyrical information is in the verses and the chorus gives us the hook.

Melody has the standard song structure arc., Very classic standard song storytelling., chorus gives us the theme of the song.

Pre chorus comes down to set up chorus, Create distance between the verse and chorus

The added lyrical and musical element., Typically happens 2/3 of the way through the song., To break up the repetitive nature of the verse/pre chorus/chorus.

Makes this song sound complete without getting repetitive.

Unique melody and chord structure that takes us away from a verse and chorus that are very similar. Sets up a new lyrical perspective.

The end or final act

Ending specifically written for the song.

Song ends like it begins, bookending.

There are no verses and choruses, Sometimes called the 32 bar format as often each section will be 8 bars in length., The A section's melodic content stays relatively the same as the song plays out but the lyrical content changes., B acts sort of like a bridge. Simply put, the second part of the song.

Melodic content stays relatively the same as the song plays out but the lyrical content changes.

B acts sort of like a bridge., Simply put, the second part of the song., then resolves on an A section