Song Writing Tips Be Heard

Topic

What social issues do concern or anger you?

What steps can people take to make a difference?Social issue

Major Aspects of the problem

Steps people can do to make a difference

Why write a song?

How can songs help connect listeners to the problem?

What songs do you know that address a social issue and ask listeners to take action or be aware?

How can use your song to “be heard”?

Song Title

The title of the song is very important; think of yourself as a salesperson who needs to pitch a product and the title as the name of that product.

You would want your title to be memorable and fitting to the theme of the song.

You should also highlight your title by placing it within the lyrics of the song.

Most writers' song ideas start with a title. Here are some ideas with examples: Use a color: "Blue Moon", "A Whiter Shade Of Pale" Use a name: "Lucille", "Mr. Bojangles" Use opposites: "One Step Forward and Two Steps Back". (This is one of my

favorite writing techniques.) Take a popular phrase or cliché and twist it. Give it a new meaning: "The Greatest

Man I Never Knew" sung by Reba.

Title Brainstorm

What title can you use to help personify the meaning you want to convey?

Title Ideas

Idea

Idea

Idea

Idea

Verse

The Verse contains the main story line of the song.

It is usually four or eight lines in length.

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOUR SONG HAS THE SAME NUMBER OF LINES IN EACH VERSE. Otherwise, your song will not sound smooth.

Your verses move the story forward and add information/details.

Most songs have two or three verses.

Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISvMS6s41vY

Fun Verse Tips

Here are some opening line techniques: Start with a time: "Wednesday morning at

five 0’clock…" (The Beatles, "She’s Leaving Home")

Start with a place: "In a bar in Toledo, across from the depot" ("Lucille", sung by Kenny Rogers.)

Verse Story Board •Four Lines

Into Story Image

•Four Lines

Further Story Plot Image

•Four Lines

Conclude/Call to Action

Image

Chorus

The Chorus states the meaning of the song IT CONTAINS THE TITLE IN THE FIRST

AND/OR LAST LINE.

The chorus is repeated at least once, and is usually the most memorable/catchy part of a song.

differs from the verse musically, and it may be of shorter or longer length than that of the verse.

Chorus Brainstorm

What is the main message you want your audience to walk away knowing/thinking about?

What key words do you think will help convey this message?

Line One:

Line Two:

Bridge

A section called the Bridge is found in some, but not all songs.

It has a different melody from either the Verse or the Chorus.

It is often used instead of a third verse to break the monotony of simply repeating another verse.

Song Outline

Most songs contain two or three Verses and a repeating Chorus. Two common song forms are:

1. Verse/Chorus/Verse/Chorus/Verse/Chorus

2. Verse/Chorus/Verse/Chorus/Bridge/Chorus

It is important that your song is not too long. It is rare for a song with more than three Verses and a repeating Chorus to become a hit.

Using Literary Techniques You have been working to master the masters of

poetry…

Now use the techniques you hear and see in their work as a way of extending and emphasis zing the meaning in your song

Remember, techniques like rhythm, rhyme, simile, metaphor, hyperbole, alliteration, assonance, etc. are all tools to help your reader connect with your ideas.

Replace words you have already written with literary techniques