If you are new to songwriting, it can be really difficult to know where to start or how to actually compose a song. However, if you really study most songs, they can all be broken down into a basic structure that you can use to craft your new tunes. As a creative type, you may think that structure is too limiting, but it’s important to at least learn the rules if you want to break them.
As someone with a passion for music, Brian Overton is a Christian Contemporary Musician, Co-Worship Leader, and founding member of His Word, a Christian worship music project. Today he shares the basic parts of the structure of a song.
- Intro – this should grab the listener’s attention without overshadowing the rest of the song.
- Verse – these parts of the song are where the words change to advance the storyline.
- Pre-chorus (or lift) – this isn’t necessary for every song, but can help make a transition between the verse and the chorus, and help to build anticipation.
- Chorus – this is the part that repeats a few times throughout the song and is the part that people are most likely to belt out in the car.
- Bridge – this is very similar to a verse, but the rhythm or melody may be switched up here.
- Break – you probably recognize this as the instrumental part of a song.
- Outro – this is where the song slows down or fades out before coming to an end.
Once you know the basic parts, you can start listening to them in all of the music you like. Not every part is necessary for a great song, so do some experimenting!
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