A song is a musical composition with vocals (often in distinct and fixed pitches) that are repeated to create a form. They are sung or played on instruments like the flute, harp, piano, and guitar. They can also be performed in plays, musical theatre and stage shows of any form and within operas, films and TV shows.
When a great song connects with people, it can be transformative. It can make them dance, cry, smile, or sing along. It can even cause them to change their behaviors or beliefs. A song can be the carrier for a message of hope, love and acceptance or it can be the articulation of someone’s most personal and painful struggles.
Often, a songwriter’s greatest achievement is creating a song that climbs the charts and becomes a global phenomenon. These songs are rare, but they happen – and they are an incredible feat of artistic and marketing prowess.
It’s easy to be intimidated by the vocabulary of songwriting, especially if you’re new to the craft. But it’s important to know the basic building blocks of a song so you can make informed decisions when writing your own music.
Learn the difference between a verse, chorus and bridge. Also, find out how a pre-chorus can help heighten the impact of the chorus by starting on a different chord progression than the verse and chorus. Having this knowledge will allow you to utilize your time in the studio wisely and improve your ability to write songs with a higher level of professionalism.