Pages

Showing posts with label CREATIVE SONGLYRICS Manual. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CREATIVE SONGLYRICS Manual. Show all posts

SECTION 1 (Continuation...3)

CREATIVE SONG LYRICS

Self-teaching Manual



Releasing Soon 


Self-Teaching Guide to

WRITING SONG LYRICS

By Paul Rodricks

    Have you ever felt the urge to write your own songs?
To compose your own lyrics and melody?
    Are you a lyricist wishing to set music to your lyrics?
Or a music composer desirous of writing the lyrics to
your music? 
Or a music lover and hobbyist wondering how songs are crafted?
    If so, Creative Songwriting is just the right practical
self-teaching manual for you. Because Songwriting has
never been made so easy and simple.



CREATIVE SONGLYRICS

     Is all about Lyrics Composing – Song forms, Title/Hook lines, Storylines and Themes, Rhyme Scheme, Crafting the Verse-Chorus-Bridge-Tag, Song Performing Styles and much more.
  
     The latest in Gospel/Worship Songwriting is also presented in a whole separate chapter devoted to it in this book.
  
     Become a successful Songwriter.  Compose your own Lyrics and Music to styles such as Pop, Rock, Blues, Country, R&B, Jazz and Gospel.


Lyrics: The Composition

Section 1 (Continuation...3)

“The soul never thinks without a mental picture.” 
– Aristotle


Here's a Preview of the SECTION ONE (Continuation...3) from the Creative SongLyrics Manual:



Popular Forms of Lyrics (Continued)


Musical Embellishments to Song Form:

Instrumental:
(at times with vocal back-up)
(a) As an Intro before the 1st Verse or Chorus
(b) Lead Ins and Exits of Choruses
(c) Mid-Solo over the Chorus, or after the Bridge, if any.

All popular styles of songs such as rock, pop, R&B, blues, country, bluegrass, jazz, Latin or Reggae have their own distinct form structure. Hence, it is best to study the song form/s, including the lyrics of a few songs of the particular genre/style you are aiming for.

The song structure also regulates the duration of your song. Popular styles of Western recorded songs don‟t normally exceed the 3.50/4.00 minutes accepted norm which is enough time to accommodate the ABABAB format, including a 4-bar intro, a mid-solo and the usual 2-bar ending. Of course, there are songs which have more 
soloing, instrumental riffs back-up and other vocal and instrumental embellishments. Generally, jazz and classical music styles exceed this time-frame.

For an overview of this section remember that, in any kind of a song form - the verse, chorus, bridge and tag, and the instrumental and vocal backups, mid-soloing and endings all serve the purpose of creating an overall contract, including that of tension and resolution - of cause and effect brought about to a successful conclusion through the performance of lyrics, melody and rhythm - by the singer/s and accompanying musicians in a spirit of team-work.

There are a variety of techniques that can be applied to make your lyrics outstanding besides the song structure. Such as, the choice of emotive and graphic words, stressed & unstressed syllables, the rhyme and the rhyming scheme, the rhythmic value of short and long sentences and not in the least the composition of a reasonably good melody. We will be covering these areas in the latter chapters of this book, including the study of simple examples to acquire some level of expertise to transform your efforts into productive songwriting as quickly as possible.
 

General Song Form Questionnaire:

1. Does your song form suit the story and the genre/style of song?
2. Have you made the Title or Hook-line catchy enough and original?
3. Does your song title convey meaningfully and strongly the essence of your theme or story line?
4. Does your title or hook line repeats at least once in the verse and twice or more in the chorus and the bridge, if any?
5. Is the first line of your Verse A or Chorus B appealing enough, i.e. attention grabbing?
6. Is there a flow or continuity in the story narrative from verse to verse?
7. Does the ending (substance) of each verse connect smoothly with the beginning of the Chorus 
– which would probably be the Title or Hook line?
8. Is the summary of your chorus content consistent with the story line as developed in the verse sections.
9. For the bridge, have you added a new look, concept or twist, i.e. rather a different feature of the story narrative?

***

NEXT: Section 2
               “To seize the flying thought before it escapes us is our only      touch with reality.” –  Ellen Glasgow

The Title Line or HOOK
(The make or break element of the Song)

+++


REVIEWERS can avail a FREE Digital copy 

Contact Author

                                 
or use the

CONTACT FORM




Your comments and views will be appreciated,


Paul Rodricks, Author.








Preview of SECTION 1 (Continuation...2)


CREATIVE SONG LYRICS

Self-teaching Manual



Releasing Soon 


Self-Teaching Guide to

WRITING SONG LYRICS

By Paul Rodricks

    Have you ever felt the urge to write your own songs?
To compose your own lyrics and melody?
    Are you a lyricist wishing to set music to your lyrics?
Or a music composer desirous of writing the lyrics to
your music? 
Or a music lover and hobbyist wondering how songs are crafted?
    If so, Creative Songwriting is just the right practical
self-teaching manual for you. Because Songwriting has
never been made so easy and simple.



CREATIVE SONGLYRICS

     Is all about Lyrics Composing – Song forms, Title/Hook lines, Storylines and Themes, Rhyme Scheme, Crafting the Verse-Chorus-Bridge-Tag, Song Performing Styles and much more.
  
     The latest in Gospel/Worship Songwriting is also presented in a whole separate chapter devoted to it in this book.
  
     Become a successful Songwriter.  Compose your own Lyrics and Music to styles such as Pop, Rock, Blues, Country, R&B, Jazz and Gospel.


Lyrics: The Composition

Section 1 (Continuation...2)

“The soul never thinks without a mental picture.” 
– Aristotle



Here's a Preview of the SECTION ONE (Continuation...2 ) from the Creative SongLyrics Manual:



Popular Forms of Lyrics (Continued)


3. AAA, the trade-mark of the popular Blues song form. Where every verse follows the other and normally lasts for 12-bars:

Verse 1:

    Well now, it's three o'clock in the morning 
    And I can't even close my eyes. 
    Three o'clock in the morning 
    And I can't even close my eyes. 
    Can't find my baby 
    And I can't be satisfied

Verses 2 & 3 follow in the above format.

Some Blues songs last for 16-bars and modern blues songs can extend beyond 24 bars.

4. AACA format has a Bridge in place of the usual Chorus after the 1st and 2nd Verse, then followed by the 3rd Verse.
    The following example is of the AACA song format which gives you a general idea of the other formats as well. Song Title: “True Confession” Copyright 2002 Paul Rodericks.

Verse 1:
True Confession
The song as you sing
Your heart pleads silently with mine
For the love you once abandoned 
True confession
I mustn’t feel this way
This feeling of past obsession
No, not on my wedding day.
Verse 2:
True Confession
We have shared good times
And today you're here as the best man
We've no other obligation
True Confession
You will find someone to love
Beyond the point of no return
As long as she trusts you enough
Bridge:
True Confession
I cannot be your partner
Any more in love nor share your pain
Our distant feelings of love will always remain
As silent whispers of our hearts.
Verse 3:
True Confession
The man I marry today
Is the one who will share my life
No reasons for temptation
True Confession
Maybe you’ll know this someday
When your heart whispers again
To another on your wedding day.

5. ABC format, meaning: A - the Verse, B - the Pre-Chorus and C - the main Chorus. In this form, the pre-chorus section is a shorter interesting version, which attracts the listener‟s attention, leading into the main chorus of the song. Lyrically, you make an interesting point here before going into the chorus, and for a musical appeal a contrast by way of a short riff or chord-change, for example:
Song Title: “If She’d Only Give Me A Choice”

After the Verse A:
Pre-Chorus or Bridge:
I would never think of leaving her
If she’d only give me a choice
We would never be in this situation
If she’d only give me a choice
Chorus:
If she’d only give me a choice
I would not be in this situation
With the kind of person she is
Past caring and so selfish
I‟ve simply lost the will to rejoice
If she’d only give me a choice.

* * *

NEXT: Musical Embellishments to Song Form:
               Instrumental:



Available FREE Digital copy for REVIEW

Contact Author

                                 
or use the

CONTACT FORM




Your comments and views will be appreciated,


Paul Rodricks, Author.

Preview of SECTION 1 (Continued)


CREATIVE SONG LYRICS

Self-teaching Manual



Releasing Soon 


Self-Teaching Guide to

WRITING SONG LYRICS

By Paul Rodricks

    Have you ever felt the urge to write your own songs?
To compose your own lyrics and melody?
    Are you a lyricist wishing to set music to your lyrics?
Or a music composer desirous of writing the lyrics to
your music? 
Or a music lover and hobbyist wondering how songs are crafted?
    If so, Creative Songwriting is just the right practical
self-teaching manual for you. Because Songwriting has
never been made so easy and simple.



CREATIVE SONGLYRICS

     Is all about Lyrics Composing – Song forms, Title/Hook lines, Storylines and Themes, Rhyme Scheme, Crafting the Verse-Chorus-Bridge-Tag, Song Performing Styles and much more.
  
     The latest in Gospel/Worship Songwriting is also presented in a whole separate chapter devoted to it in this book.
  
     Become a successful Songwriter.  Compose your own Lyrics and Music to styles such as Pop, Rock, Blues, Country, R&B, Jazz and Gospel.


Lyrics: The Composition

Section 1 (Continued)

“The soul never thinks without a mental picture.” 
– Aristotle



Here's a Preview of the SECTION ONE (Continued)
from the Creative SongLyrics Manual:


Popular Forms of Lyrics (Contd.)

     2. ABABAB - wherein you have the 1st Verse-Chorus-2nd Verse-Chorus Repeat-3rd Verse-Chorus Repeat,
OR the most popular form which is: ABABCB - a Bridge (of 4 to 8 lines) after the 2nd Chorus-Repeat. Sometimes, though, the Bridge takes the place of the Chorus-Repeat after the 2nd Verse (ABAC).
     The variation may depend on the duration of the song and generally the particular genre or style it is meant for, viz. pop, rock, country, R&B and others. This is really a matter of choice for the songwriter and finally the performers.

     *Any song that has a Chorus may or may not start with the Chorus before the 1st Verse. Many popular songs actually do so, for a specific effect.

     Example of BABABAB Form: Song Title: "Man, When She Walks" Copyright 2002 Paul Rodericks
   
Chorus (B):
Man, when she walks, oh can she swing,
Heads turn, heartbeats swaying,
She cuts the mood, wishing ya' could,
Be her dude for just one evening.
Verse 1 (A):
She's a goddess on a swing, believe me,
Her come-along look leaves ya' guessing,
Is she inviting ya' or merely teasing,
Man, when she walks, oh can she swing!
Chorus (B):
Repeat
Verse 2 (A):
She's known to have had men aplenty,
Only to love, then jilt 'em - oh, really?
I just don't care even to be her plaything,
Man, when she walks, oh can she swing
Chorus (B):
Repeat

The above is followed by a 3rd Verse (A), the Chorus (B) is repeated.

     Example here of ABABCB Form: “A Solitary Silhouette”, Copyright 2006 Ester Sterling - Paul Rodericks

 Verse 1 (A):
Gray is all that she what she wore
Debonair as the moonlit glow
Amidst flaring embers of her cigarettes
A solitary silhouette.
Chorus (B):
A solitary silhouette
Wrapped in Gray
Puffing clouds of smoke at Midnight
As un-caring, as her cigarettes
She has a tale, she can't re-call,
And sleep, she can't at all
Her feelings dry as a desert
A solitary silhouette.
Verse 2 (A)
For a moment in her time
Enters a shred of peace of mind
And the stirrings of forgotten desires and yet
A solitary silhouette.
Chorus (B):
Repeat
Verse 3 (A):
Is she the images I cast
The reflections of my past
The life I don't know and so can't regret
A solitary silhouette.
Bridge (C):
My life drifts on an outline
Past or new, have yet to find
But it is mine, only mine...
To create and design. .
Chorus (B):
Repeat


                                     To be continued...


Available FREE Digital copy for REVIEW

Contact Author

                                 
or use the

CONTACT FORM




Your comments and views will be appreciated,


Paul Rodricks, Author.





Preview of SECTION ONE

CREATIVE SONG LYRICS
Self-teaching Manual



Releasing Soon 




Self-Teaching Guide to

WRITING SONG LYRICS

By Paul Rodricks

    Have you ever felt the urge to write your own songs?
To compose your own lyrics and melody?
    Are you a lyricist wishing to set music to your lyrics?
Or a music composer desirous of writing the lyrics to
your music? 
Or a music lover and hobbyist wondering how songs are crafted?
    If so, Creative Songwriting is just the right practical
self-teaching manual for you. Because Songwriting has
never been made so easy and simple.



CREATIVE SONGLYRICS

     Is all about Lyrics Composing – Song forms, Title/Hook lines, Storylines and Themes, Rhyme Scheme, Crafting the Verse-Chorus-Bridge-Tag, Song Performing Styles and much more.
  
     The latest in Gospel/Worship Songwriting is also presented in a whole separate chapter devoted to it in this book.
  
     Become a successful Songwriter.  Compose your own Lyrics and Music to styles such as Pop, Rock, Blues, Country, R&B, Jazz and Gospel.

 Here's a Preview of the SECTION ONE from  the Creative SongLyrics Manual:

Lyrics: The Composition

Section 1

“The soul never thinks without a mental picture.” 
– Aristotle

 Basic Form or Structure of Song

 Understanding the framework of a song is essential if we are to write excellent lyrics and music and even sing or perform better, particularly so to acquiring the ability to improvise spontaneously.
It is the familiarity with the song structure that the listener is comfortable with when listening to new a song - its lyrics and music. The standard structures of songs like pop, rock, country, blues, Latin and the others, which the people have been listening for decades and are easily able to relate to. Maybe one of the reasons why jazz and classical music are difficult for most people to enjoy is owing to unfamiliarity with the structure of such music.
Main Song Components

 Following are the main components of a song:

  • Title or the Hook
  • Verse
  • Chorus, also called the Bridge in earlier music terminology
  • Bridge (optional)
  • Tag (optional)

Song Structure Terms

 The short forms generally made use of in songwriting to indicate a song structure are:

  • "A‟ for the Verse
  • "B‟ for the Chorus
  • "C‟ for the Bridge
  • "Tag‟ for a brief ending


Popular Forms of Lyrics

 For depicting the popular forms of song lyrics of today, we have:


 1. AABA - meaning, the 1st Verse A is followed by the 2nd Verse AA and the latter by the Chorus B. 

 In this form, you normally have 3 to 4 verses and the same Chorus is repeated twice; or as AAB-AAB - where the first combination of AAB would be followed by another one of AAB and may or may not end with a Tag consisting of two or more lines taken (and repeated) from the verse or chorus or just the Title as it is popularly known, the Hook. This form or variation of it is sometimes favored by the blues and rock artists.

 Example: Song Title: "She is a Zombie", Lyrics Copyright 2002 Paul Rodericks:
A (1st Verse):
No colors to her dawn
No depth to her sleep
No fears to succumb
Nor rules of ethic
A creature by necessity
She's a Zombie.

AA (2nd Verse):
No colors to her dreams
No depth to her mind
No patriotic hymns
Nor love of any kind
A creature by necessity
She's a Zombie.

B (Chorus):

She's a Zombie
From her reflections within
A wall around her senses
A creature by necessity

She's a Zombie.


Then generally follows the other combination of AAB - the 3rd & 4th Verse and the Chorus Repeat.
To be continued...


Available FREE Digital copy for REVIEW

Contact Author

                                 
or use the

CONTACT FORM




Your comments and views will be appreciated,


Paul Rodricks, Author.




Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)