Form

Form

The form of a song, is the structure of the song.  Just like stories have a beginning, middle and an end, songs have rules too!

The Structure of a Pop Song

Today we are learning about the structure of a pop song. Most pop songs will have all these parts, but not all of them. Pop songs are normally 4 crotchet beats per bar (or 4 'ta'). The most common order of a pop song is: Introduction, Verse, Pre-Chorus, Chorus, Verse, Pre-Chorus, Chorus, Bridge, Verse, Chorus and Outro.    

Parts of a Pop Song

Introduction 

Just like a story, this is at the beginning. It normally has no words and is quite short (often 4 bars/16 beats long). 

Verse

The verse normally comes next. Often pop songs will have verse 1 and then verse 2. The tune or melody is the same, but the words change. This part of the song is usually quieter or has less texture (meaning less layers of instruments).

Pre-Chorus

Some songs have a pre-chorus. This part builds up to the chorus - this means, the music may start to get a little more exciting. It may not be played before every chorus.

Chorus

The chorus is the most exciting part of the song. It is also the part that is repeated the most. The words remain the same every time. It is normally the loudest part of the song - lots of instruments are used here and faster rhythms. This is the bit of the song that normally gets stuck in your head! At the end of a pop song it may be played several times in a row with the singer adding embellishments and the backing singers singing the normal words. You know, like when they go "Woah-oh-oh-oh" over the top?!

Sometimes when the chorus repeats at may go up a step higher. The proper word for this is a key change.

Post-Chorus

This is not so common. This is like the pre-chrous but it comes after the chorus. Instead of building the excitement it may start to calm the music down for the verse. Most songs do not have a post-chorus.

Bridge

Almost all pop songs have a bridge. It is the bit of the song that sounds a bit different from the verse and chorus. It normally happens towards the end of the song when you as a listener may be bored of listening to the same thing. It is a transition section. You may find the bridge in between two lots of chorus in a row (but not always!)

Instrumental 

If there is a part in the middle of the song without any words, this is called the instrumental section or instrumental break. As the name suggests it is just instruments playing without the singer.

Outro

Some songs will have an outro. It's the ending to a song. Some songs just fade out, some slow down. A few songs may just end with the instruments or the singer repeating the same line.

Let's put that all together and watch this video to help explain it!

Why don't you listen to your favourite pop song and comment below or e-mail me (melaniee@avondaleprimary.school.nz)

Write the song name and artist, followed by the structure. Like this:

Try Everything by Shakira

Intro

Verse 1

Pre-Chorus

Chorus

Post-Chorus

Verse 2

Chorus

Bridge

Outro