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Song structure (popular music)
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The structures or musical forms of songs in popular music are typically sectional forms, such as strophic form. Other common forms include thirty-two-bar form, verse-chorus form, and twelve bar blues. Popular music songs are rarely through-composed.
The verse and chorus are considered primary, while the introduction and coda or ending may or may not be used in different performances and are not considered essential to the identity of most songs. A bridge is slightly more important. The verse and chorus are usually repeated throughout a song though the bridge, intro, and outro are usually only used once.
introduction is a unique section that comes at the beginning of the piece.
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Encyclopedia
The structures or musical forms of songs in popular music are typically sectional forms, such as strophic form. Other common forms include thirty-two-bar form, verse-chorus form, and twelve bar blues. Popular music songs are rarely through-composed.
The verse and chorus are considered primary, while the introduction and coda or ending may or may not be used in different performances and are not considered essential to the identity of most songs. A bridge is slightly more important. The verse and chorus are usually repeated throughout a song though the bridge, intro, and outro are usually only used once.
Elements
Intro
The introduction is a unique section that comes at the beginning of the piece. It usually builds up suspense for the listener so when the downbeat drops in, it is more of an emotional surprise.
Pre-Chorus
Also referred to as a "build" or "transitional bridge," the pre-chorus functions to connect the verse to the chorus with intermediary material, typically using pre-dominant or similar transitional harmonies. Often when the verse and chorus involve the same harmonic structure, for example, the pre-chorus will introduce a new harmonic pattern in order to make the reappearance of the verse harmonies in the chorus seem fresh.
Chorus
Chorus is used to mean the refrain of a song, which often sharply contrasts the verse melodically, rhythmically, and harmonically, and assumes a higher level of dynamics and activity, often with added instrumentation. Chorus form, or strophic form, is a sectional and/or additive way of structuring a piece of music based on the repetition of one formal section or block.
When two or more sections of the song have basically identical music and lyrics these sections are probably instances of the chorus. Sometimes this can be repeated at the end and at the beginning.
Bridge
In song writing, a bridge is an interlude that connects two parts of that song, building a harmonic connection between those parts.
Normally you should have heard the verse at least twice. The bridge may then replace the 3rd verse or precede it. In the latter case, it delays an expected chorus. The chorus after the bridge is usually last and is often repeated in order to stress that it is final.
If and when you expect a verse or a chorus and you get something that is musically and lyrically different from both verse and chorus, it is most likely the bridge.
Collision
A collision is a section of music where two different parts overlap one another. It is mostly used in fast-paced music.
Vocal runs
A vocal run is a melismatic variation on the chorus of a song. It is mostly used at the end or beginning of a song and adds a new layer to a chorus.
Instrumental Solo
A solo is a section of reduced instrumentality designed to feature a single performer.
Outro
An outro, also called extro, is a unique ending to the song, and is equivalent to a coda or tag.
Break
A break is an instrumental or percussion section that forms an interlude during a song.
Adlib
Any additional line inserted between parts of a song. Usually, the adlib repeats the previously-sung line in a different tune or pitch, and is sometimes even spoken. The singer may at his/her discretion include adlibs not originally in the song.
AABA form
Thirty-two-bar form uses four sections, most often eight measures long each (4×8=32), two verses or A sections, a contrasting B section, the bridge or "middle-eight", and a return of the verse in one last A section (AABA).
Variation on the basic structure
Verse-chorus form or ABA form may be combined with AABA form, in compound AABA forms.
a1 and a2 can also be used.
Twelve bar blues and other chord progressions
Sections are often defined through the use of different chord progressions in different sections. However, the repetition of one chord progression may mark off the only section in a simple verse form such as the twelve bar blues.
Further reading
- Sheila Davis. "The Craft of Lyric Writing", Writer's Digest Books (1985)
- Sheila Davis. "Successful Lyric Writing", Writer's Digest Books (1988)
- Sheila Davis. "The Songwriter's Idea Book", Writer's Digest Books (1992)
Sources
- Richard Middleton. "Form", in Horner, Bruce and Swiss, Thomas, eds. (1999) Key Terms in Popular Music and Culture. Malden, Massachusetts. ISBN 0-631-21263-9.
- Covach, John. "Form in Rock Music: A Primer", in Stein, Deborah (2005). Engaging Music: Essays in Music Analysis. New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-517010-5.
- Everett, Walter, ed. Rock Music: Critical Essays on Composition, Performance, Analysis, and Reception. Cited in Covach (2005).
- Covach, John and Boone, Graham, eds. Understanding Rock: Essays in Musical Analysis. Cited in Covach (2005).
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