production through performance

Learn

6.1 song form

The organization of measures, phrases, and sections creates a song’s form. Most pop songs use a combination of repeated and non-repeated sections in a predictable pattern that is called verse-chorus song form. Understanding this form gives the structure to help write songs and thinking about a songs in sections makes playing and memorizing songs easier.

  • Watch the walkthrough video.

  • Learn the information below.

anatomy of a song

Intro: Beginning of the song | Can use the same chord progression as the verse or chorus.
Verse: Repeated Section | New words every time. The verse sometimes tells a story.

Chorus: Repeated Section | Same words every time. Contains the hook. The song’s title is in the lyrics.
Bridge: Non-repeated Section | Different chord progression from verse and chorus. Sometimes has an instrumental solo.

*Pre-chorus: Before the chorus | Can have the same words or different words every time. Might have a different chord progression.
*Instrumental Interlude: Between sections | Usually a single phrase without words. Might have a different chord progression.

Ending: End of the song | Can use the same chord progression as the verse or chorus. Types of endings: crescendo, fade out, stop, tag, hit and hold.

Repeated song sections are differentiated by their chord progressions and harmonic textures.

sample song form

 
 
 
 

Listen

PHRASE COUNTING

  • Choose a song from the playlist.

  • Count the number of beats in each measure, and count the number of measures in each phrase by saying the measure number on the first beat of each bar.
    Ex. |1 2 3 4 | 2 2 3 4 | 3 2 3 4 | 4 2 3 4 | 4 BAR PHRASE

  • Keep track of the phrase repetitions in each section by holding up fingers in your hand
    Ex. 1 Finger |1 2 3 4 | 2 2 3 4 | 3 2 3 4 | 4 2 3 4 | 2 Fingers |1 2 3 4 | 2 2 3 4 | 3 2 3 4 | 4 2 3 4 | 2x4 SECTION

  • Complete the Song Form Transcription Worksheet →

 

Apply

MARKING SONG FORM

Use regions to mark the different sections of the sample song in Soundtrap.

  • Listen to the song in Soundtrap.

  • Add a new track (it doesn’t matter what instrument).

  • Move the playhead to the desired area and click edit > add empty region.

  • Extend the region to fit the phrase length by clicking and holding the handle at the bottom right hand corner of the region.

  • Loop the regions to show phrase repetition in each section by clicking and holding the handle at the top right hand corner of each region.

  • Label each region with the section name by hovering over the region and clicking edit > edit name.

  • Add new regions for each song section.

NARRATING HARMONIC TEXTURE

  • Listen to each section and note what chordal instruments are playing and what rhythmic roles they are fulfilling.

  • Add a voice and microphone track

  • Record yourself describing the harmonic texture of each section while it is playing.

 
 

Song Forms

AABA (32 BAR SONG FORM)

The 32-bar song form was popular in the first half of the 20th century and consists of four sets of 8-measure phrases. This form is usually repeated more than once when performed and often has an arranged instrumental section or instrumental solo during the second repetition. The instrumental section can happen over the entirety of the form or over just a portion of the form. The chords used in songs with AABA structure are based on the circle of fourths and use functional harmony follow more strict rules.

The first A section is 8 measures in length and consists of two 4-measure phrases, both with unique chord progressions. The melody and chord progression of the first phrase pose a musical question (antecedent) that is answered by the melody and chord progression in the second phrase (consequent). When the A section is repeated, it can be altered at the end to prepare for the B section.
The B section (sometimes referred to as the bridge) uses a contrasting chord progression and a melody that uses different note lengths.
The final A section brings the listener back to familiar melodic and harmonic material.

32-bar Song Form Example | Sunny Side of The Street

Performance Notes For Songs With 32-bar Song Form

The Head: The melody of the song.
Top: The beginning of the form.
Turnaround: Chord progression at the end of a section that is used when the form repeats.
Turnaround types: ii - V, iii - vi- ii- V, iii - VI - ii - V,
ex. during the last one or two measures of the final A section.
Tag: A type of ending in which the last one or two measures are repeated.

BLUES

The blues is both a genre and a song form. It originated in the early 20th century by Southern Black men—many of whom worked in agriculture—and focuses on call and response. The most common form of blues is the12-bar blues. Listed below are three types of 12-bar blues, each that keep the same form but vary in harmony. The “I IV V” blues has the least harmonic complexity, while the Bird blues has the most.

I IV V BLUES

JAZZ BLUES

BIRD BLUES