What
Is Song Structure?
(And How To Structure A Song Quickly)
Learn what song structure is. Understand all of the major parts of any song layout.
See where each section normally goes in popular music, and then learn how to structure your songs quickly for the best expression of your creativity and emotion.
So what is song structure?
Song structure is a song's blueprint; repeatable sections arranged in the best pattern to express the songwriter's creativity in their song.
It's also called song form. Song Structure is the difference between a great song and one that no one remembers.
What are the different parts of a song?
There are eight sections linked together to create a song structure pattern: Intro, Verse, Refrain, Chorus, Hook, Bridge, Break and Outro.
Each section has its own unique structure, and when those sections are arranged together they form an overall pattern for your music.
Understand the 8 Parts of Songs Structure
- Verse - What is a verse? The verse is the section of your song that
tells your story. How many verses should you have in your song?
- Chorus & Refrain - I've listed these two sections together because
they're closely related. But
they're both uniquely different. Click the link to learn what each is and how both are important parts of your song.
- Bridge - What is a Bridge
of a song? Learn why a Bridge is the essential section that links your song
together.
- Hook - Understand why the
Song Hook is so powerful and why it's important to use this song
element...wisely.
- Break -
Taking on many different forms in music, learn why the Break is such an effective part of
your song's structure.
- Intro - Most of today's
songs have an intro in one form or another. Learn how & why it serves the same function as an
introduction in conversation, but for your song.
- Outro - The Outro is the last section of a modern song's structure. Learn how to emotionally affect your listener even after your song has finished.
Each section (except for Intro & Outro) can be arranged differently depending on your genre of music and style of storytelling.
The Granddaddy Of Them All.
The basic song structure pattern that all of today's music evolved from is "ABABCB", or "Verse - Chorus - Verse - Chorus - Bridge - Chorus".
Modern songs are "grandkids" of this layout, having different lengths, tempos and time signatures that make each song a unique artistic expression.
But because we're so used to hearing certain types of songs in specific ways, most of today's song structures can be grouped together by music genre and target emotion.
OK, so how do you structure a good song?
A song is considered a good song when it sounds like ones we already love, while still sounding unique enough to be different.
All music is inspired. Today's songs were inspired by songs written yesterday.
So when Jay-Z, Ne-Yo, Adele, Katy Perry and other great songwriters write songs either they use existing songs as blueprints or work with writers whose songs they like.
So if you know the common pattern for the type of song you want to write, you'll be able to use it to structure a great song from your lyric just like the professionals.
Now as a beginner I'll show you how to understanding these patterns and guide you through the song structure process until you get more experience.
There's nothing worse than being excited about a song idea only to become depressed because you don't know how to begin or because your song sounds like crap when you're done.
This is why many of today's famous songwriters still get help to write new songs.
I'll show you how to use existing songs as blueprints for your next song's layout. All you need to do is continue reading.
---
Which layout makes more sense to you?
Seeing the pattern "ABABCB", or seeing this:
Verse
Chorus (or Refrain)
Verse
Chorus (or Refrain)
Bridge
Chorus (or Refrain)
Both describe the same song pattern, but of course the second version has much more meaning. Next, which layout has more meaning to you? The layout below:
Verse
Chorus (or Refrain)
Verse
Chorus (or Refrain)
Bridge
Chorus (or Refrain)
Or something like this?
Hands down, seeing song structure flow dynamically while listening to its track is far better than scanning a lifeless layout. Don't get me wrong! It's important to know the theory behind the most repeated song forms...
...But this is how you'll master song structure quickly, by using technology to take advantage of the science behind combining audio and visual learning.
So I created the Song Structure Vault to help you visualize repeated song form patterns to structure your songs like the pros, whether for Pop, Hip-hop, R&B, Rock, Country, or any other music genre.
But it doesn't matter which visual tool you use to show song structure as long as you find a way to see the pattern while listening to its track. It'll seriously accelerate your understanding.
Let's Master Song Structure!
The explanation above is only the beginning. Let's shortcut your learning curve. Join my free training group to learn everything about song structure in 8 weeks.
Learn to write great songs like your favorite hits from the radio and train to become a great songwriter in four steps:
-
Download my free 6-step exercise manual to prepare your lyrical content
for structuring. Having your song lyric fully fleshed-out before piecing it
together is important.
- Learn important skills and tips about each song section not taught in music theory class to get the most out of using the song Structure Vault to structure your next song.
- Follow audio & video songwriting lessons to complete your
training.
- Also, as a member get exclusive deals on all professional songwriting tools & courses offered on this website.
In a few weeks you'll have everything you need to begin structuring great songs. You've already taken the first step by searching for this info. And reading this far down shows you have a passion for songwriting.
So take the next step. There's no cost to join and no obligation to stay.
But make sure to join now because space is limited.
----
IMPORTANT: After you register, check your spam folder if you don't get a confirmation email within a few minutes.
- Jeezy
Updated: April 3, 2020
What's your favorite song right now? Post in the comments below.
If you like this page, share it!