Ultimate Songwriting Jumpstart Module 4 Song Structure & Awesome Arrangements. epicsongwriting.com

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1 Ultimate Songwriting Jumpstart Module 4 Song Structure & Awesome Arrangements epicsongwriting.com

2 Chord Progressions History of chords Key & Key Signature, Scales Nashville Numbers Functional Progressions Modal Progressions Adapting Chord Progressions Module 3 Recap 2

3 Melody Writing Using a chord progression Rhythms Accents & Emphasis Melody Adding the magic Homework Module 3 Recap 3

4 Updates Course Wrap Up originally scheduled for today But Module 3 took two sessions to cover I m booking an extra session Going to schedule in favour of the Australian students Likely Sunday morning March 11 in Australia Saturday March 10 th, evening GMT 4

5 Updates Request for more depth on melody writing A bonus video session (prerecorded) Including musical examples of all concepts especially Melody Magic slide 33 from Module 3 Additional melody improvement strategies Preparing it this week, will announce it by Let me know of any other teaching that needs improvement! 5

6 Writing Melody (slide 33 from Module 3) Melody Magic Once a rough melody is written, edit it & add: Move away from the tonic of the key & root of chord for more tension Leaps add energy & interest Stretch notes for more emphasis Move up for more energy, down to release it Add dissonance for effect and emphasis Edit the melody as it moves between chords, smooth transitions Check for the starting beat of each line, change them to add interest Emphasize differences in the melody in different sections Make it sound good! Make it singable! 6

7 Ultimate Songwriting Jumpstart Module 4 Song Structure & Awesome Arrangements 7

8 Module 4: Highlights Song Structures building the whole song Arrangements Righteous Riffs Signature Licks Accompaniment Patterns Testing Your Song Video Tips - Recording Your Song Tips for Releasing Your Song on Social Media 8

9 Song Structures Building the Whole Song Song structure is crucial for pattern recognition Listener should feel the next section of the song is coming before you get there Typically this is the least creative or experimental part of songwriting Use what works... because it works! Check your reference tracks most follow similar patterns Handout: Song Structures Examples 9

10 Shorthand I = Introduction V1 = Verse 1, or V2, V3 PC = Pre-chorus C = Chorus B = Bridge O = Outro Song Structures 10

11 Typically Introduction Verse Pre-chorus (optional) Chorus Song Structures Verse, Pre-chorus, Chorus (once or twice more) Bridge Chorus Outro / Ending 11

12 Examples: I V1 C V2 C V3 C B C O I V1 PC C V2 PC C V3 C B C O I V1 PC C V2 PC C B C O I V1 V2 C V3 C B C O I C V1 PC C V2 PC C B C O I PC C V1 PC C V2 PC C B C O Song Structures Depending on the length of the song, 3 rd verse is sometimes not included 12

13 Variations: Song Structures Introduction is the chorus, or placing chorus before the first verse No Pre-Chorus No Bridge often = V PC C, V PC C. No Outro end on Chorus or alter the last Chorus Additions: Instrumental transitions, connect sections with music Add extra bars at the end of a section Instrumental solos 13

14 Need Your Love I C V1 C V2 C B C V3 C Song Structures Examples Additions: B 4 bars of G before Chorus Emoji Girl I V1 PC C V2 PC C B C Additions: V 2 extra bars of G, PC last line = 7 bars, 4 of E C 4 lines of lyrics, 5 lines of music, Last C extra F7 & E = 9 bars Tremble I V1 C V2 C V3 C Additions: extra bars of E V1/C1 = 4, V2/C2 = 3, V3/C3 = 2 14

15 General Considerations Song Structures 3-4 minutes total length for most popular music, some exceptions Introduction should be relatively short (15 seconds or less) Get to the Chorus in a minute or less Patterns help your audience understand your song Awkward song structure weakens the song 15

16 Creating Your Song Structure Start with a model / example Check the examples here Check your Reference Tracks Sketch one to try List Grid, see Handout Arrangement Template Is the song structure satisfying? Does it make sense? Do the lyrics flow to the next section? Does the music flow to the next section? Would a different structure or a variation work better? 16

17 Arrangements Arrangement = writing the notes for each instrumental part Song Structure, add instrumental parts, including Riffs Signature Licks Accompaniment Patterns Copyright covers lyrics and melody Not the title, chord structure or arrangement 17

18 Righteous Riffs Riff = repeated instrumental phrase, usually melodic Often used instead of a chord progression Or transposed to fit a chord progression Used extensively in Rock, Hard Rock, Metal band based music Classic examples Smoke on the Water, Deep Purple guitar Superstition & Higher Ground, Stevie Wonder bass line Stompa, Serena Ryder bass line (harmony) from 0:30-2:14 & 2:36-end 18

19 Signature licks Signature Licks Melody, usually in lead part sometimes chords Similar to Riffs but don t create the section structure Triggers I know that song in listener Usually played same way (almost the same) every time Classic Examples Black Magic Woman Santana, lead guitar melody Hotel California Eagles, guitar introduction (chords) Bad to the Bone George Thorogood, guitar intro, vocal B-b-b-b-b-b-bad 19

20 Sing them Play them Creating Riffs & Signature Licks find easy to play ideas, let your fingers find them Improvise variations against a metronome Rhythmic character can be as important as melodic ideas Pick the best variation balance playable with unforgettable, singable, air-guitar-able 20

21 Riffs can go in: Riff Placement Introduction, common to build intensity with repetition Underneath the lyrics creating the accompaniment Start of a section or start of a lyric line set up the lyrics to come End of a line, an answer to the lyric Between song sections Before a section, setting it up End of a section, transition to next section If it is strong enough, it can feel like a section of it s own 21

22 Signature Lick Placement Introduction start the song with it After or during the title lyric Setting up a section, especially the verse or chorus Before the lyric, setting up a lyric line Between lyric lines Can also be used as a short instrumental solo Usually considered integral to the song, not an improvised solo 22

23 Musical Examples Riffs and Signature Licks Need Your Love, Riff Verse Root motion A C A C G A C A C A G Tremble, Signature Lick Introduction Alto saxophone plays the vocal melody Emoji Girl, Signature Lick Introduction & Outro, Chorus chord progression A- F E E... A- F E Chorus oh-oh-oh-oh & oh-no-no-no 23

24 Accompaniment Choosing notes for each instrument to play in each section Your goal determines the amount of detail you need: Solo performance, solo demo Band performance Details help others understand what you want Instrumentalists know their instruments/style better than you Writing for other artists You usually need less detail in the arrangement But key features, general ideas can sell the pitch demo & make the final mix Riffs, Signature Licks, Rhythm Guitar patterns, etc... 24

25 Accompaniment Accompaniment choices are similar to choices for Lyrics: Patterns are important Complement the lyrics, fill in gaps / held notes with different rhythms More energy / activity in Chorus (& Pre-Chorus) than Verse More energy towards the end of each section More energy while progressing towards the end of the song Bridge should be different from other sections Handout: Accompaniment 25

26 Accompaniment Voice & Instrument Simple rhythm, 1 strum / bar Simple rhythm, steady beat Rhythmic rhythmic drive, few changing notes Guitar strumming pattern Guitar chords with picking, alternating chords and melodic fragments Arpeggiation Finger style on guitar Broken chords on piano Piano, option for different pattern in each hand 26

27 Accompaniment Band If writing for a band, or creating a track: Typical Roles / Instruments Lead Vocal Backing Vocals Lead Instrumental Melody Rhythm guitar or piano Bass line Drums / Percussion Handout: Arrangement Template 27

28 Lead Vocals Accompaniment Vocals The existing vocal melody line Backing Vocals Where to use them in the song Harmonize keywords, key phrases Chorus title Chorus other lyrics Secondary vocal parts, filling in between the lead vocal 28

29 Lead Instrumental Melody Lead guitar EDM, high synth melodies Accompaniment Lead Lead line of a horn or horn section Instrumental solos Signature phrases Doubling rhythm guitar riff Where to have an improvised solo Instrumental backing, behind the vocals or between lyrics lines 29

30 Accompaniment - Rhythm Rhythm Guitar or Piano Chords Choose: Rhythm patterns for each section Chord voicings Piano notes: register, how dense the chord (open or closed voicing) Guitar: where to play chords on neck (open or barre chords) When to rest, leave out for part of a section or phrase 30

31 The Bass part emphasizes Chord roots Accompaniment Bass Bass riff, or simplification of a rhythm guitar riff or rhythm Walking bass / Jazz bass, outline chord notes Follow the rhythm of the bass drum Create energy with steady pulse or faster rhythms 31

32 Accompaniment Drums Drums use rhythmic patterns to create drive Often a 1 or 2 bar pattern Break the pattern with fills to emphasize the End of 4 bar line End of a section Punctuation, double accents in other parts with drum or cymbal 32

33 Accompaniment Drums When writing for drums / describing intentions for a drummer Choose what to do with Bass drum: steady 1 & 3, four on the floor, pattern Cymbals: emphasize beat on hi-hats or ride cymbal, crash for accents Snare drum: 2 & 4, pattern Fills: where and how to break the regular patterns Strong drummers can create excellent patterns with a little guidance 33

34 Testing Your Song Getting feedback on your song Do this at different stages of the writing process Self test Record yourself on audio or video Find solid opinions People that will give you an honest opinion Musical detail is most helpful Test it live 34

35 Accepting Feedback Take it professionally, not personally Say thank you and listen don t argue / defend yourself or your song Get feedback from From professionals Songwriters Producers Industry Influences From people you trust, who can explain their opinions From others a bored facial expression can tell you something Listen for truth even troll-ish comments can contain a grain of truth 35

36 Recording Your Song - Video Video, YouTube is how people listen to music for free Sound quality is more important than video quality People will forgive grainy video, but click away from poor sound Sound quality is my biggest self criticism of these live lessons Find Reference Videos, critique strengths and weaknesses All stage rules apply Eye contact with the camera lens, not the screen! Smile and enjoy yourself! 36

37 Video Pre-Production Screen Test for video & audio quality Setting up your camera Where are you in the frame, what s the focal point? Setting up your background Eliminate distractions What s around you, behind you Lighting Use natural light when possible Poor lighting = poor video quality 37

38 Rehearsing on camera Video Testing It Practice verbal introduction, too Keep going when you make a mistake Check your performance Listen with sound off, watch for mannerisms Watch on fast motion Practice everyday for a week For learning & practice Without intention of releasing it 38

39 Video Releasing Your Song Know your goals in releasing it Goal - getting a click, have them listen to you Without this, you won t get likes, shares or subscribes Give them a reason to listen, include text about the song Use a pattern interrupt to get attention, visual attention for the post Tag the video what is the song about? Posting on social media, know your intention & goals Posting in FB groups for advice... do you really want advice or views? What do you want to know? What do you want critiqued the song or the performance? 39

40 Developing a thick skin What happens when you re ignored... don t get attention... Figure out if it s: The song itself Your performance The video &/or sound quality Where you posted it When you posted it Who actually saw it. 40

41 Homework Complete Module 4 Feedback Form Plot the song structure for each of your Reference Tracks Look for similarities or variations Sketch the song structure of your song in progress Does it flow? Verses in order, logical story development? Sections connect musically? Does the song progress/develop from start to finish? 41

42 For Each Song Section Choose a chord progression Set your lyrics to a melody Homework Choose an accompaniment pattern that complements the lyric rhythms Find places to change the accompaniment during the section Does the arrangement help keep interest throughout the song Choose a different accompaniment pattern for each section Bonus: Sketch possibilities for a band arrangement 42

43 Homework Record a rough video demo of your song Give yourself a slightly uncomfortable deadline Don t worry about the video / audio quality Don t worry about your performance or singing I want to hear your results! Have some fun with it! 43

44 Follow Up Expect an from me this week Bonus Live session next weekend To schedule a follow up Skype call for a post course chat Strengths & Weaknesses in the course Suggestions to improve the course materials Your next songwriting steps What every you want to talk about related to songwriting 44

45 Q & A 45