berklee writing chorus

FREE music lessons from
Berklee College of Music
Songwriting Workshop: Hit Song Forms
Lesson 1:
Writing a Chorus
This lesson is excerpted from an
online course. While the navigation
links on each page are not active,
all of the multimedia interactions
are. Have fun!
Check out Berkleeshares.com for more lessons
just like this one.
© 2005 Berklee College of Music licensed to the public
under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd-nc/1.0/
verify at http://berkleeshares.com/legal-notice
Berklee is offering free music lessons online
designed to expand educational opportunities
for musicians around the globe. The music
lessons are available for free download from
the Berkleeshares.com Web site and via a
growing network of partner Web sites. These
free music lessons are also available on
digital file sharing networks. We encourage
people to share our lessons with other
musicians. While Berklee strongly
disapproves of stealing copyrighted music
online, we believe that file sharing offers new
opportunities for musicians to learn, and to
promote and distribute their work.
Berkleemusic Home
Syllabus
Discussion
Help
Course Home -> Lesson 1 -> Topic 2 Page 1
Lesson 1
Topic 1
Activity 1
Topic 2
Page 1
Topic 3
Activity 2
Topic 4
Activity 3
Topic 5
Topic 6
Activity 4
Activity 5
Activity 6
Activity 7
Topic 7
Activity 8
Activity 9
Topic 8
Course Contents
Syllabus
Bookmark
Communication
Announcements
Class list
Discussion
Chat
The Chorus
The chorus is the part of the song that keeps coming back. The same lyrics and music recur,
usually after each verse. It usually includes the song title and summarizes the main idea of the
lyric. The chorus is also usually the emotional high point—the most intense part of the lyric.
When you remember a song, you usually think first of its chorus. The ability to write a good
chorus is one of the most important skills you need as a songwriter.
Why is it called a "chorus?" Because the audience is supposed to sing along. They are the
"chorus." So, that's your goal: to get your audience—usually not musicians—to sing along with
your song's chorus.
This week, you'll learn to write choruses that will make it easy for your audiences to sing along.
Creating a Memorable Chorus
When you are writing a chorus, verse, or other song section, you can construct the section to
have two basic effects. Its structure can fulfill the audience's expectations or it can surprise them.
Each type has its strengths and can be appropriate, depending on what emotion you want to
express.
Writing song sections that satisfy the audience's expectations will be our focus. Notice how this
chorus is solid and easy to remember.
It already may seem familiar to you, and it will be easy for anyone to sing along. You won't have
any trouble remembering the song title, "Roller Coaster Ride." There are many reasons why the
chorus has this effect, and there are standard songwriting tools that you can use to create this
effect in your own choruses. We will discuss them throughout this week.
Previous Activity Page
Next Topic: Tools to Emphasize a Title
Berkleemusic Online School -- BMW-130: Songwriting Workshop
© 2002 Berklee College of Music. All rights reserved. Our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Berkleemusic Home
Syllabus
Discussion
Help
Course Home -> Lesson 1 -> Topic 3 Page 1
Lesson 1
Topic 1
Activity 1
Topic 2
Topic 3
Page 1
Activity 2
Topic 4
Activity 3
Topic 5
Topic 6
Activity 4
Activity 5
Activity 6
Activity 7
Topic 7
Activity 8
Activity 9
Topic 8
Course Contents
Syllabus
Bookmark
Communication
Announcements
Class list
Discussion
Chat
Tools to Emphasize a Title
The first step in writing a chorus is to consider the title line. In this case, it is "Roller Coaster
Ride." Say it over and over. Which syllables are naturally stronger than others (Roll-, Coast-,
Ride)? What natural rhythms does it suggest? Are there any melodies that occur to you as you
say it? You want to set this line musically in a way that is natural and intuitive, easy to
remember, where important lyrics are emphasized with support from the harmony and melody.
The following tools are ways to emphasize a title, and help you turn it into a solid, memorable
chorus. Many similar tools are discussed in this week's reading assignment. Consider how each
tool is used in "Roller Coaster Ride" and in the choruses of other songs that you know.
Tools to Emphasize a Title
Long Notes
Notes that sustain for a long time exaggerate a lyric and tell your audience "this is
important."
Space
Absence of other lyrics around the title eliminates distractions from it. During this space,
your audience can think about the words they just heard, and this will help them
remember your important lyrics.
Downbeat Ending
The downbeat is the first beat of a measure. Ending the last strong syllable on (or near)
the downbeat is a great way to emphasize your title.
Previous Page
Next Activity: Interaction 1.1. Setting the Title
Berkleemusic Online School -- BMW-130: Songwriting Workshop
© 2002 Berklee College of Music. All rights reserved. Our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Berkleemusic Home
Syllabus
Discussion
Help
Course Home -> Lesson 1 -> Activity 2
Lesson 1
Topic 1
Activity 1
Topic 2
Topic 3
Activity 2
Page 1
Topic 4
Activity 3
Topic 5
Topic 6
Activity 4
Activity 5
Activity 6
Activity 7
Topic 7
Activity 8
Activity 9
Topic 8
Course Contents
Interaction 1.1. Setting the Title
Listen again to "Roller Coaster Ride." For each of the three questions, click the correct syllable or
word.
Previous Page
Next Topic: Building the Section
Syllabus
Bookmark
Communication
Announcements
Class list
Discussion
Chat
Berkleemusic Online School -- BMW-130: Songwriting Workshop
© 2002 Berklee College of Music. All rights reserved. Our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Guitar.
Performance.
Production.
Songwriting & Arranging.
Music Business.
Theory, Harmony & Ear Training.
Study with the world-renowned professors of Berklee College of Music,
on your own time, from anywhere in the world.
Online Courses and Certificates from Berkleemusic
Lyric Writing: Tools and Strategies
Generate better ideas, find the right words to express those ideas, and organize rhythms and rhymes
into compelling verses, choruses and bridges.
Songwriting Workshop: Hit Songs Forms
Move your listeners and express yourself more effectively by crafting your songs the way hit writers do.
Arranging 1
Essential learning for anyone interested in arranging music for a band, Arranging 1 explores all aspects
of writing and arranging for the rhythm section..
Master Certificate in Songwriting
Become a master in the art of songwriting and lyric writing with our Master Songwriting certificate. This
extensive program arms you with all the tools needed to develop your ideas into complete, engaging,
effective songs.
Learn More
Books and DVDs from Berklee Press
Songwriter's Workshop: Melody
Learn the fundamental techniques behind today's hit songs, together with easy-to-follow exercises, so
you can apply these tools to your own art. Quit wrestling with writer's block.
Songwriter's Workshop: Harmony
Learn how harmony can help you express your songwriting ideas—using chords and chord structures
the way that professional songwriters do.
Songwriting: Essential Guide to Rhyming
Rhyme is one of the most crucial areas of lyric writing, and this guide will provide you with all the
information necessary to develop your skills. Make rhyme work for you and your writing will greatly
improve.
Finale: An Easy Guide to Music Notation, Second Edition
Designed for both novice and experienced Finale users, the step-by-step instructions will help you
master all of Finale's capabilities. This detailed guide is your shortcut to getting Finale working for you.
Learn More
berkleeshares.com
berkleemusic.com
berkleepress.com