The Structure of a Song

A song is a piece of music that tells a story through the use of lyrics and melody. It can be sung or played on a instrument, and may also include other elements such as harmony, rhythm, and/or beat.

Usually a song has at least two verses and one chorus, but many have three or four. This is a common structure for songs, and it works well to keep listeners engaged.

Verse:

A song’s verse is an opportunity to tell a story through lyric, and it can help build anticipation for the chorus. This is why it’s so important to have a strong and compelling verse.

Chorus:

A chorus is the most significant part of a song, and it should serve as a climax to the story being told. It should also contain a hook, which is the best way to make your song memorable.

Pre-chorus:

A pre-chorus is an optional part of a song, but it can really add to the impact of a chorus. It can provide some variation from the rest of the song, and it can build upon the chord progression used in the verse or the chorus.

A song’s melody can also help it tell a story through its lyrics, and there are two basic types of melodic motion: conjunct motion (steps from one scale degree to the next) and disjunct motion (leaps from one interval to the next). In general, conjunct motion is the more natural type of motion for vocal melody.