| Some people have a knack for song structure. Taylor | | | | with a sung intro. |
| Swift, for example, began by writing poetry as a | | | | Verse: Usually contains four to 8 chords. In |
| child. After teaching herself to play the guitar she | | | | songwriting terms, the story of the song is told |
| began putting her poems to music, structuring them | | | | through the verses. |
| as songs. Of course, not everyone has Taylor's | | | | Chorus: Also called the refrain, the chorus is also |
| innate musical skills. At the same time, you don't need | | | | usually four to eight chords and has a primary musical |
| to attend college and earn a music degree or take | | | | phrase which is repeated. In Red Hot Chili Peppers' |
| years of lessons to learn the basics of how to create | | | | "Dani California," the refrain is: |
| the perfect structure for your songs. | | | | California rest in peace |
| What does song structure actually mean? Structure | | | | Simultaneous release |
| refers to the way the sections of the song are | | | | California show your teeth |
| arranged. Structure gives the song its form and | | | | She's my priestess, I'm your priest |
| optimizes the emotional or musical impact. Different | | | | The chorus as a distinctly different musical dynamic |
| genres of music have different structure. For | | | | that the verses. In songwriting terms, this is the |
| example, a symphony has a different structure that | | | | emotional center of the song. Typically, a phrase |
| a pop song. An R&B ballad has a different structure | | | | from the chorus is what people remember. |
| than a rap. So the type of genre you write in will | | | | Bridge: The bridge is a musical connection between |
| affect the ultimate structure of your song. | | | | the verses and the chorus of a song. It can be used |
| Typically, songs employ repetition to make them | | | | to smooth the transition between key or tempo |
| catchy and to emphasize the song's emotional point. | | | | changes, making the song have a smoother flow. |
| Structure is also used to enhance the story telling | | | | Middle 8: A musical or lyrical interlude that can prevent |
| element of a song, making the listener want to hear | | | | a song from seeming monotonous or to add a |
| what's coming next. | | | | different emotional element. |
| Before you can decide on the structure of your | | | | Outro: The "bow out" of a song. Often it's just a |
| song, you need to know the components to use. | | | | reiteration of the verse or chorus but can be totally |
| The Introduction: Usually an instrumental using chords | | | | unique. The elements of structure are just a guideline. |
| from the verse or chorus but famous lyricists like | | | | How you use them is based on your talent and |
| George Gershwin regularly started his compositions | | | | artistic vision. |