How to write a hit song

How to Make a HIT SONG

Compose Music that Everyone Can Enjoy

Make HIT Music - This topic is very controversial, since how in the world are so many people and all has completely different tastes. some love pop music, some classical, other some jazz or rock, and so on...  But there is some music that almost everyone can enjoy.

I tell in advance that this is not a textbook about creation hit music. Despite all this, I finally decided to write this article where I just want to see my opinion on this topic.

So, perhaps I'll start from the beginning:
When I started writing my first song, I do not even occurred to me that the music I listen to and love, was created on the basis of only a few common structures. Like many of those who listen to music, I've heard thousands of times these structures, but knew nothing about them and did not notice them. Frankly, some important nuances, I haven't paid attention.

Later, I learned that there are a limited number of song structures that are used in the most hits. These structures can be learned and subsequently use them effectively.  In addition, you can take an idea, born from the heart and express it in one of these structures, without losing the sincerity and meaning of the song ideas. In short words, try to be as honest and usually in your music. There is a theory that, songwriting is based on the art of communication and expression. Using the most common song structures similar to the use of punctuation marks in the sentence and allows the listener to understand and feel what the author is trying to express. Learning to use the structures of songs - it's not the most exciting, creative and interesting part of the process of writing songs, but, nevertheless, a very important part of it.

With rare exceptions, most of all hits, written by authors who are not at the same time implementing these songs, producers and does not otherwise involved in the project, have one of the following structures or variations thereof:

• A - B - A - B - B
• A - B -A - B - C - B -B
• A - A - B - A - B - C - B - B
• A - B - A - B - A - B - B
• A - A - C - B

Commercially successful songs are built from a combination of the following elements:

• Couplets
• Pre-Chorus
• Chorus
• Breeche

Each of these components has its own problem in the song. Before you try to collect them in a song, let's look at each of these components.

Couplet

The main task of the verse (couplet) - to convey information that lets the listener to the song title. Verse tells a story and sets the emotional mood. Verse contains plot details and action. Each verse has the same melody, but new words.

The first line of the first verse is also desirable number of syllables, as in the first line of the second and third verse (if it exists). The same rule applies to all other rows couplets. Small variations may occur, but if there is a big difference in the length of the corresponding rows in different verses, it will be impossible to sing all the verses with a melody.

Most often verse consists of eight lines, which are expressed by eight or sixteen ticks. For some couplets hits consist of four, six, and twelve rows.

Suitably, the number of rows in the first verse of twice larger than the number of rows in the next couplet (e.g., a first "double" couplet consists of sixteen lines, and the next - of eight).

The songs with the chorus, the song title in the verse does not usually appear.

Pre-Chorus

Inside verse can also be "pre-chorus" - two or four lines, lasting no more than four cycles, which are directly in front of the chorus. Pre-chorus used to using music and words to prepare the listener to perceive the chorus. Using the pre-chorus is optional. If the first verse includes the pre-chorus, then, as a rule, all other couplets will also contain it.

• All the pre-chorus in a song has a same melody.
• For each pre-chorus acceptable to have the same words, or (also) every time a new.

Chorus (Refrain)

Melodic chorus is repetitive and very "catchy" part of the song, which primarily want to sing along. From the perspective of the words of the song, the chorus task - to express the whole idea of the song and express its name. Ideally, the chorus should be written so that they sound natural when they are repeated after each verse or bridge. Chorus should be such that it can be quickly memorize. The chorus does not need to make any new information, new items, for this there are couplets. Regarding the structure of the song, the chorus usually four or eight lines, which are expressed as a rule, eight strokes. Songwriting is not an exact science, it's in the first place - feelings, so there may be hits in which the chorus consists of twelve or sixteen lines.Songwriting is not an exact science, it's in the first place - feelings, so there may be hits in which the chorus consists of twelve or sixteen lines.

• Each chorus in the song - has same melody, and usually the same words.

Song Title desirable voice in the chorus. No hard and important rules, where in the chorus should sound like a song title - it may be the first, first and second in the first and last lines of verse. In some cases, the verse can begin with the name, repeat the chorus several times and end with the name. Chorus may consist entirely of repeating the song title, except for the last line. The name may also sound only at the end of the chorus, while all the previous word in the chorus must be strong enough to cling to maintain the listener's attention throughout the chorus. Finally, the chorus may not be other words, apart from the name of the song.

Breeche

Bridge in the song is used as a kind of retreat from the main theme, little respite. It may consist of two or four rows and eight or four cycles. Task of bridge is - move the song into a new dimension to translate it to the next level, and give the listener a chance to hear a different chorus and title. When using a structure comprising verses and choruses, the only place for the bridge in the song - the second and third choruses (verse-chorus-verse-chorus-bridge-chorus).

When using the structure of A-A-B-A bridge is between the second and third verse. (Verse-Verse Bridge Verse). From the perspective of words, bridge needed to add a new perspective to the song narrated stories.

Here are tools to help you make the bridge different from the rest of the songs lyrically:

• Adding a new element to the story, which will act as a liaison.
• Changing the first-person narrative on the story of the third, or something else.
• The transition from the detailed description to the general, philosophical statements (or vice versa).
• Changing the timeframes (in hindsight, if the rest of the song takes place in the present).

From the viewpoint of music, effective bridge element can add contrast with:

• Making chord or chords that have not been used in the song.
• Changes in the rhythm.
• Use of music, which is higher or lower than the score used in other parts of the song.

Additional tips:

• Do not include the name (title) of the song bridge.
• Limit yourself to two or four rows (four or eight bars).
• Sometimes the bridge can be instrumental only.

Bridge is the last part of the new, which may present a song to the listener. This is the last chance to make the listener love your song so that the bridge must be strong.

Designing successful songs

In order to create songs that people expect to hear on the radio, which requires some knowledge how to better integrate into the song verses, pre-choruses, choruses and bridges.

Verse-chorus-verse-chorus-Chorus

In such a structure, the song opens verse, in which the author tells the story, represents actors. Chorus sums up the idea of the song as a whole. The second verse story develops, implements the listener more information.

Verse-chorus-verse-chorus-bridge-chorus-chorus

Perhaps now the most common song structure.

Verse-chorus-verse-chorus-verse-chorus-chorus

Each verse contains the following additional information and develops the story further. Only a small percentage of successful songs have this structure. Perhaps this is due to the fact that the verse is not intended to be the most memorable part of the song, and there is a risk to tire the listener long history. Verse-verse-bridge-verse.

This structure contains the chorus, the song title may appear either in the first or last line of each verse. Option: add another bridge, and one verse. The result: Verse-Verse Bridge Verse Bridge Verse. In a further bridge may be the same word as the first bridge or newer. A very small number of hits begins with the chorus. If you decide to start a song with the chorus, you can use one of the following structures:

• Chorus-verse-chorus-verse-chorus or Chorus-verse-chorus-verse-bridge-chorus

Sometimes authors begin with the chorus to immediately attract the attention of the listener. But if your motivation for this is the fear that your verse is not good enough to interest the listener - rewrite verse.

Introduction (intro) and instrumental solos

Musical intros and instrumental solos rather as part of the arrangement, rather than the structure of the song. Nevertheless, some advice about arrivals.

In demo nobody wants to listen to a long musical introduction. It must be for the duration of eight or four (not more) cycles. When the song evaluates professional, he primarily evaluates the melody and lyrics. Except in the case where the instrumental part includes interesting new chords and melody for the song needed. Then maybe this part is really necessary to include in the demo. There are cases where the instrumental part is one of the reasons for the success of the song.

Solo instruments can be important for a song intended, primarily, for the dance market. In the structure of verse-chorus-verse-chorus instrumental may be after the second chorus, and then he may go an extra chorus.

In the structure of verse-chorus-verse-chorus-bridge-chorus place instrumental part - or after the second chorus or after the bridge.

If you use-Verse Verse Bridge Verse solo usually goes after the third verse, and the song is complemented by another bridge and the fourth verse.

Before you include the instrumental part in the song, ask yourself whether it is decisive for the perception of the song. If the answer - "no", then instead of having to spend time and money on producing solo, you find it easier to say to the singer, so he said into the microphone: "now can turn off the song."

Music industry professionals often have to listen to the whole mountain demo, therefore, most likely, they will stop listening to your song just at the beginning of the instrumental parts.

Song Structure

Checklist

Print this list s hang it where you usually write. Every time you finish a sketch of a song, make sure that the song structure meets these items:

Use one of the most common structures for successful songs and their variations:

• Verse-chorus-verse-chorus
• Verse-chorus-verse-chorus-bridge-chorus
• Verse-chorus-verse-chorus-verse-chorus
• Verse-Verse Bridge Verse
• Each verse of new words, but the same melody
• The corresponding lines in each stanza has the same number of syllables
• Each verse contains 8 lines of text (8 or 16 bars)
• If it is before the first chorus, the chorus, and then it will all subsequent choruses
• Each chorus includes 4 or 8 lines of text (8 or 16 cycles)
• Each chorus same words and melody
• Song title appears in the chorus at least once
• If there is a bridge, it includes 2 or 4 lines of text (4 or 8 bars)
• Bridge does not include the name (title) of the song
• If there is an instrumental solo, it is no longer than 8 bars

P.S.

What qualities distinguish a "hit of all times?"

To get into the category of "stuck", a song, especially, should have a so-called "hook" - a catchy musical phrase (often occurring in the chorus), having heard that the man soon be able to get rid of it. The longer and variability of this phrase - the better.

According to researchers, the hook in good must be at least 3 changes the pitch (if that lingering song) or 3 separate "elements" (in songs that chant - the type of fan chants in sports.

The second important condition: the song to sing man. According to specialists, the reason for that - the genetic memory of people: choral singing is akin to martial song-cry of our ancestors, who performed mostly by men.

Third matters and how singing actor. The more complex fragment (eg, tone up or longer phrase played in one breath) - the stronger impression. Different "vocal effects" - another plus artist and song! "

Good Luck!