The First step of Song-structure
FTMP
Before you read this article, keep your mind to put “for the most part” in the end of each sentence.
With the assumption
Song structure is the positions of melody sections in a song. the melody section is a clump of the same melody like intro, verse, chorus.
Common forms include Bar form, Thirty-two form, Verse-chorus form, Ternary form, Strophic form.
Popular songs use the same melody on the same part of lyrics for the most part, except for a very traditional form called “Through composed” which has the opposite meaning to that.
The most common format in modern popular music is introduction (intro), verse, pre-chorus, chorus (or refrain), verse, pre-chorus, chorus, bridge ("middle eight"), verse, chorus and outro.（Which I wanna describe’em as In→V→pC→C→V→pC→C→Br→V→C→Ou）
So now let's say it is a standard structure of pop music. In rock music, Guitar solo part usually comes after bridge part.
Intro
Intro contains just music and no words. It mainly has two roles. The structure of intro depends on which role you emphasize. There are some typical ways to use chords. Intro can only be made of drums, percussion, and also only vocals, when it is suitable for setting the atmosphere of the song.
To create the atmosphere of the song
When you emphasize this role, a section in the song are often used.
To build up suspense
This is to create a pleasing sense of release, when the downbeat of the verse drops in. When you emphasize this role, intro does not use any of the material from the song that is to follows.
Common Chord Progressions
Tonic code is often used first. Traditionally, it ended often with cadence. If intro contains chords, there are mainly three ways to use them.
1, it is based on another elements of the song structure.
2, “Turnaround progress”. This progress used at the end of the section. As an example, 1-6-2-5
3, suggest another key. This way is used when using that key in another part. The same is true when using 7th chords.
Verse
Common Chord Progressions
Based on Prolongation, Tonic chords such as iii or vi are often used. (Please see below about Tonic chords)
For example, In the key of C Major, the iii chord would be E Minor and the vi chord would be A Minor.
Putting more weight on lyrics than on melodies. So...
Easy and short melodies.
The melodies are repeated but the lyrics are not repeated.
Lyrics that contain more specific content.
Pre-Chorus
Also known as “Build” “Channel” “transitional-bridge”.
Roles
- Makes it smooth to connect verse with chorus as intermediary material.
- Present another structure as Verse and Chorus（Especially when verse and chorus use the same harmonic structure,
Common Chords Progressions
- Tend to Involve subdominant chords（ii and iv）
-
ii-V7progression
When you want to use the dominant chord treated like a "home key" for a short period（tonicized）on chorus.
Ex. 【Key】→C, 【Chorus】→G,
【ii-V7】→Am-D7
In this process, listeners feel very natural when hear the ii chord because the ii chord is one of the diatonic chords of key C. And hearing the V7 chord makes them want to hear the dominant chord in chorus part because of cadence theory.
Chorus
It is of greater musical and emotional intensity than the verse.The same the lyrics including the title are repeated many times. The additional elements including backing vocals gives usual thickening of texture. It Includes more memorable hooks.
Bridge
Bridge is not just a transition in popular music.
Role as bridge
contrast
The bridge is a device that is used to break up the repetitive pattern of the words and music. That is a natural way by creating a contrast to the previously played and keeping the listener's attention.
Common Chords Progressions
usually ends on the dominant.
Middle eight
In popular music, bridge is called a middle eight because it happens in the middle of the song and the length is generally eight bars.
Role as middle eight
Re-transitional
It often culminates in a strong re-transitional.
Contrast and quietness
Middle eights are often quieter than the remainder of the song because it can be used to generate energy.
New chords
Such sections often consist of new chords, but also frequently just alternate between two chords.
Outro
Roles
Signaling the end
It make listeners feel the process of ending the song very natural.
Re-used
In general, it does not introduce any new melodies or riffs in the outro. the song may be re-used as part of an outro.
Dissipates / Ritardando
many songs end with a fade-out, in which the song gets quieter and quieter. It also gets slowing down the tempo gradually.(Ritardando)
Repetition
For an outro that fades out, the arranger or songwriter typically repeats a short section of the music over and over. This can be the chorus, for example.
Tag
Instrumental Tag / Vamp
the vocalist no longer sings, and the band's rhythm section takes over the music to finish off the song. This process often use a vamp of a few chords. Vamp is an pattern with short chord or phrases repeating.
Vocal Tag
Vocalist also typically repeat a section of the song, such as the chorus, to give emphasis to its message. In some cases, the vocalist may use only a few words from the chorus or even one word.
