Commercial Songwriting Techniques

Songwriting Infobox

Song Model
Songwriting
Lyrics - Melody - Harmony - Rhythm - Form
Song Form
Title - Chorus - Verse - Prechorus - Bridge
v • d • e

• Popular Lyric Writing: 10 Steps to Effective Storytelling

Step 1: Destination-Write and Create Columns

Include "who," "where," and "when," and make sure to use sense-bound language involving the six keys of connection as you learned in lesson 1:

• sight
• sound
• taste
• touch
• smell
• movement

Step 2: Find Rhyme Pairs

Look for rhyme pairs within and between the external and internal columns. The rhyme types from most closure to least are:

1. Perfect
2. Family
3. Additive/Subtractive
4. Assonance
5. Consonance

Step 3: Choose a Rhyme Scheme and Toggling Pattern

Plan to write either a four-, five-, or six-line verse. Choose a rhyme scheme and toggling pattern from the chart below. Make sure your pre-chorus, if you have one, contrasts in number of lines and rhyme scheme.

Toggle Pattern Choices

Step 4: Add Prepositions and Conjunctions

Connect the phrases of your toggled verse with prepositions and conjunctions. Try exchanging "and" for "but," "as" for "when," and pay close attention to how it affects the conversational quality of the lyric.

Step 5: Choose a Plot Progression

Choose from the two possibilities below and develop the song content. Write the pre-chorus according to your chosen strategy.

Possibility 1

Verse 1: What is the problem in detail?/What was the past like? Optional Verse 2: Describe more of the problem in detail. Optional Pre-chorus: Can it be different?/Does it have to be this way?/Is there hope? Chorus: What would different feel like? Bridge: What struggles must be overcome?

Possibility 2

Verse: The way things used to be/The way I'd like things to be Pre-chorus: Is there hope? Chorus: The way things are Bridge: Everything's gonna be okay

Step 6: Destination-Write Again using Thought/Feeling Language

You're looking for titles and chorus material this time. Destination-write again, only this time, talk about your thoughts and feelings. Start by reading through your original destination writing and begin where you left off, speaking from the mind of your main character. Underline the external and parenthesize the internal words and phrases of your new destination writing. Transfer your favorite phrases into the columns you already formed from your original destination writing and find additional rhyme pairs.

Step 7: Look for Titles and Write the Chorus

Look for titles within your original and new destination writing. Follow your toggling pattern and write the chorus. Remember the body-guard and power position. Add conjunctions and prepositions.

Step 8: Construct Second Verse and Pre-chorus

Follow the plot progression and use pyramiding to write your second verse and pre-chorus. Use the toggling pattern of your first verse, but involve more internal detail this time. You may choose to use the same pre-chorus or write a new one to add further meaning to your chorus. Add conjunctions and prepositions.

Step 9: Construct Bridge

Follow your plot progression and pyramiding to toggle a bridge. Choose a toggling pattern that contrasts with your chorus and verse for maximum effect. Consider how your section will add new meaning to the last chorus. Add conjunctions and prepositions.

Step 10: Assess Verbs, Tense, and Point of View

Check your verbs for specificity. Change the tense of your lyric and see how it affects the overall feeling. Make sure your point of view—whether first, direct address, or third—is consistent throughout the lyric. Read through your lyric out loud. Are there any fragmented phrases? Can you exchange conjunctions and prepositions to better connect phrases? Do "who," "where," and "when" all appear within the first few lines of the song? Rewrite where needed.