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Song Writing Tips

Be Heard . Song Writing Tips . Topic . What social issues do concern or anger you? What steps can people take to make a difference?. Why write a song?. How can songs help connect listeners to the problem?

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Song Writing Tips

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  1. Be Heard Song Writing Tips

  2. Topic • What social issues do concern or anger you? • What steps can people take to make a difference?

  3. 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”?

  4. 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.

  5. Title Brainstorm • What title can you use to help personify the meaning you want to convey?

  6. 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.

  7. 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.)

  8. Verse Story Board

  9. 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.

  10. 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?

  11. 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.

  12. Song Outline • Most songs contain two or three Verses and a repeating Chorus. Two common song forms are:1. Verse/Chorus/Verse/Chorus/Verse/Chorus2. Verse/Chorus/Verse/Chorus/Bridge/ChorusIt 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.

  13. 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

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