Lyric Writing: Writing Lyrics to Music

Author: Pat Pattison Lesson 1: Stress in Language

Identifying Stressed and Unstressed Syllables in a Lyric Line Notating the Rhythms of Stress Patterns Writing Your Own Patterns to Match Existing Patterns Identifying Secondary Stresses

Lesson 2: Musical Stress

Identifying Stressed and Unstressed Positions in a Musical Bar Notating the Rhythms of Musical Stress Patterns Writing Your Own Lyric Patterns to Match Musical Patterns

Lesson 3: More Musical Stress

Stressed Positions Caused by Isolating a Note Stressed Positions Caused by a Rest before a Note Stressed Positions Caused by Lesser Note Values Preceding a Note Stressed Positions Caused by Anticipating a Note

Lesson 4: Melody in 3/4 Time

Stressed and Unstressed Syllables in Our First Song Section Matched and Unmatched Phrases in the Song Section Rhyme Positions in the Song Section The Hook Position in the Song Section

Lesson 5: Creating the Lyric

Brainstorming a Title, Using a Rhyming Dictionary Developing Ideas That Move the Song Forward Identifying Special Positions in the Melody Creating Contrasting Ideas Finishing the Song

Lesson 6: Melody in 4/4 Time

Creating a Straightforward Setting in 4/4 Time Working with Multiple Note Values Identifying Cases of Stressed Notes on Weak Beats Identifying Anticipations Working in a Verse/Chorus Format

Lesson 7: Creating the Verse/Chorus Lyric

Gaining Speed and Experience Brainstorming from a Title Working with Longer and Shorter Phrases Working More Easily with Contrasting Sections Constructing Effective Bridges

Lesson 8: 4/4 time; Multiple Note Values

Working with a More Complex Setting in 4/4 Time Working with Multiple Note Values Working with Sections Whose Note Values Are Different Identifying Anticipations More Quickly Working in a Simple Verse/Chorus Format

Lesson 9: Creating the Lyric

Gaining Speed and Experience Brainstorming from a Title Working with a More Complicated Arrangement of Matched Phrases Writing Lyrics for More Complex Structures Developing Your Setting Up Rhyme Schemes

Lesson 10: 4/4 Swing Time; Phrasing

Working with a More Complex Song Form Working with Swing Rhythm Gaining Independence and Confidence in the Analysis Process Skipping a Few Steps

Lesson 11: Creating the Lyric; Sectional Contrasts

Gaining Independence and Confidence in the Writing Process Dealing Effectively with More Complex Structure Working with Two Kinds of Bridges: Prechoruses (or "Transitional Bridges") and Primary Bridges

Lesson 12: The Last Mile

Gaining Independence and Confidence in the Writing Process Working with Two Kinds of Bridges

Lyric Writing: Writing From the Title

Author: Pat Pattison Lesson 1: What Is a Title?

Understanding the Use of Titles in Songs Versus Poems Understanding the Function of a Title in a Lyric Identifying Two Types of Song Titles

Lesson 2: Finding a Title

Understanding the Title as the Central Concept of the Song Developing Strategies for Finding Titles

Lesson 3: Developing a Title

Identifying Titles That Can Be Recolored by Repetition Sketching Out Possible Sectional Development for a Title

Lesson 4: Rhythm and Pitch of the Title

Identifying the Stressed Syllables of a Title Identifying the Pitches of a Title

Lesson 5: Tempo as a Brainstorming Tool

Preserving the Natural Shape of a Title Setting a Title Rhythmically Against a Pulse Extracting Various Meanings from the Same Title by Brainstorming Against Various Tempos

Lesson 6: Developing Your Title Motivically

Deciding Where to Place a Title Developing a Title's Motive by Using Various Developmental Techniques

Lesson 7: Creating a Rhythmic Template

Creating a Section Based on a Title's Rhythm Applying Developmental Techniques to Create Your Section

Lesson 8: Brainstorming with Rhyme

Identifying and Finding the Various Rhyme Types Recognizing the Vowel Sounds of the Stressed Syllables in a Title Using Your Rhyming Dictionary as a Brainstorming Tool

Lesson 9: Verse Development Techniques

Planning Your Verse Development Approaching Central Sections of Songs More Effectively Applying Your Recoloring Skills to One of Your Own Titles

Lesson 10: Song Forms

Understanding the Functions of the Various Kinds of Song Sections Recognizing Basic Song Forms Sketching Lyric Outlines

Lesson 11: Contrasting Sections

Rhyme Schemes as a Contrasting Device Number of Syllables/Notes as a Contrasting Device Line Length as a Contrasting Device Note Values as a Contrasting Device Position in the Bar as a Contrasting Device Variations or Pieces of a Motive as a Rhythmic Contrasting Device

Lesson 12: Putting It All Together

Applying the Course's Techniques to Finish Your Lyric Improving Your Critical Skills by Helping Others to Polish Their Work

Lyric Writing: Tools and Strategies

Author: Pat Pattison Lesson 1: Brainstorming: Object Writing

Object Writing Object Writing Samples Daily Object Writing Activities Write a Lyric

Lesson 2: Balancing: Number of Lines

Daily Object Writing Activities Daily Balanced Section Writing Activities

Lesson 3: Unbalancing: Number of Lines; Fundamentals of Rhyme

Daily Object Writing Activities Daily Unbalanced Section Writing Activities

Lesson 4: Brainstorming: Worksheets

Balancing and Unbalancing with Number of Lines: Moving One Section into Another Daily Object Writing Activities Write Two Sections--Balanced to Balanced

Lesson 5: Line Length; Family Rhyme

Stressed Syllables Family Rhyme Daily Object Writing Activities Complete a Worksheet and Write a Lyric

Lesson 6: Balancing and Unbalancing with Line Length; Additive and Subtractive Rhyme

Balancing and Unbalancing with Line Length Playing with Line Lengths Additive and Subtractive Rhyme Daily Object Writing Activities Daily Section Writing Activities Write a Lyric

Lesson 7: Contrasting Sections Using Line Lengths; Assonance Rhyme

Contrasting Sections Assonance Rhyme Prosody of Rhyme Daily Object Writing Activities Write a Section with Assonance Rhyme Write a Contrasting Section

Lesson 8: Line Lengths and Rhythm; Consonance Rhyme

Match Words to da DUM Patterns Match the Rhythm of a Line Create a Verse Lines of Different Length Consonance Rhyme Daily Object Writing Activities Find Uses of Consonance Rhyme Write a Lyric

Lesson 9: Rhythm and Variation; Metaphor

Rhythm and Variation Use Rhythmic Variation Match the Rhythm Metaphor Daily Object Writing Activities Daily Metaphor Writing Activities Complete Writing Better Lyrics Exercise Create Accidental Collisions

Lesson 10: Creating Sections with Rhythm; More on Metaphor

Couplets Create a Section with Couplets Varying Line Length--Common Meter and Beyond Create a Section of Common Meter Finish a Section Find Metaphors Daily Object Writing Activities Revise Two Sections Using Common Meter and Couplets Create Metaphors

Lesson 11: Rhyme Structure

Rhyme Structure Notating Rhyme Schemes Creating Forward Motion with Rhyme Balancing (Resolving) with Rhyme Accelerating and Slowing Down with Rhyme Controlling Flow with Rhyme Defining the End of Sections with Rhyme Write a Section Types of Closure Using Basic Rhyme Paradigms Daily Object Writing Activities Write a Lyric

Lesson 12: The Grand Finale

Putting the Pieces Together Recap What Lies Ahead? Object Writing Activity

Songwriting: Writing Hit Songs

Author: James A. Kachulis Lesson 1: Writing a Chorus

The Chorus Setting Up the Groove Choosing a Key Color, Tempo, Rhythmic Motive, Feel, and Style Standard Harmonic Phrase Length Harmonic Ideas for the Chorus Harmonic/Melodic Tools for Emphasis Standard Phrase Length

Phrasing Types Standard Chorus Types 1 and 2 Standard and Surprising Moves in Choruses Title Placement

Lesson 2: Common Verse Types

Lyric Moves Musical Moves Counterpoint Types Varied Repetition Phrasing Types Developing Verse Ideas into Verse Sections Contrasting the Verse and the Chorus Harmonic/Melodic Contrasts Chorus as the Emotional High Point Overall Verse Chorus Form

Lesson 3: Bridge in Verse Chorus Forms

Lyric Content Lyric Form: Standard Types Creating Variations of Standard Types Harmonic Movement in the Moving Bridge Variations on Standard Types Review: Varied Repetition 1 Building Intensity Placing of the Sections Placing the Bridge

Lesson 4: Standard Chorus Types

Building the Section Lyrically Five More Standard Chorus Types Contrasting Ideas Contrasting Ideas: - T - T, T - T Chorus Types Harmonic/Melodic Contrast Developing Ideas into a Chorus Building a Chorus with a Cadence Connecting the Chorus to Verse 2

Lesson 5: ChorusVariations of Standard Chorus Types

Creating Variations of Standard Types Add a Line Varied Repetition 2Surprising Emphasis Subtract a Line Replace a Line

Vary a Repeated Title Surprising Phrase Length Stack Standard Types for a Double Chorus Combine Variation Tools Chorus on the 12-Bar Blues

Lesson 6: VerseVariations of Standard Types

Build Intensity Ending on the V chord Changing the Phrase Length Add One or More than One Phrase Connecting the Verse to the Chorus Verse on the Twelve Bar Blues Verse and Chorus on the Blues Form Contrasting Examples Using Verse and/or Chorus Variations Contrast in Blues Form

Lesson 7: Modulation in the Verse/Chorus Song Form

Three Types of Modulation Parallel Key Relative Key Modulation Surprising Key Modulation into and out of Two Sections

Lesson 8: The Verse/Pre Chorus/Chorus SongType 1

Writing Process Chorus Types Verse Types Type 1 Pre Chorus Surprising Form

Lesson 9: The Type 2 Verse/Pre Chorus/Chorus Song

Verse Types Type 2 Pre Chorus Intensity Chorus Types Emphasis and Emotional High Point

Lesson 10: Verse/RefrainStandard Types

Refrain Line and Lyrical/Musical Form Title Placement in the Complete Verse/Refrain Song Musical Setups for the Verse/Refrain Lyric Verse/Refrain on the 12-Bar Blues

Tools for First Line Emphasis Deemphasizing the Last Line Instrumental Hook Bridge in the Verse/Refrain Song Form Standard AABA Song Form Musical/Lyrical Form

Lesson 11: Verse/RefrainVariations and the Complete AABA Song

Variations of Standard Verse/Refrain Types Change a Phrase Length Stack Types Together Combine Variation Types Two Part Verse/Refrain The Complete Verse/Refrain Song without a Bridge Moving Bridge 2 New Key Bridge Larger FormSurprising Moves

Lesson 12: Combination Form: Verse/Refrain and Chorus

The Verse/Refrain Structure Type 1: Pop Chorus Type 2: Country Bridge Chorus The Complete Combination Form

Songwriting: Melody
Author: James A. Kachulis Lesson 1: Creating Rhythmic Ideas for Your Lyrics

Lyric Setting and Emphasis Phrase Length and Space Phrase Beginnings/Stressed Words Phrase Endings Downbeat Endings for the Title

Lesson 2: Rhythm Ideas for Building Song Sections

Repetition Contrasting Ideas Number of Phrases Contrasting Sections: Verse/Prechorus/Chorus

Lesson 3: Creating Melodic Ideas On Chord Changes

One Chord Tone and Decorations Two Chord Tones and Passing Notes Arpeggios and Scale Lines

Lesson 4: Chord-Tone Melodies in Song Sections

Keep the Rhythm, Change the Shape Repetition, Sequence, Inversion Shortening and Lengthening the Motive

Lesson 5: Melodies across Chord Changes

Connecting Chords In Sync Phrasing, Out of Sync Phrasing, Longer Melody Phrasing Cadences: Major and Minor

Lesson 6: Developing Melodies across Chords into Song Sections

Verse/Refrain Verse/Chorus Verse/Prechorus/Chorus

Lesson 7: Blues Melodies

Major Pentatonic and Major Blues Melody Uses of Major Blues Melodies Minor Pentatonic and Minor Blues Melody

Lesson 8: Developing Ideas into Songs

Developing a Major Blues Song

Lesson 9: Melodies over Modes

Mixolydian Melody Over One Chord Mixolydian Melody Over Diatonic and Fast Chords Dorian Melody Over One Chord Dorian Melody Over Diatonic and Fast Chords

Lesson 10: Developing Modal Ideas into Songs

Mixolydian Song Dorian Song

Lesson 11: Creating Melodic Ideas Against Chord Changes

Two-Part Counterpoint: Parallel Motion Similar, Oblique, Contrary

Lesson 12: Using Counterpoint in Songs

Different Bass In Verse and Chorus Sections Against the Same Bass Riff Song Against a Melodic Riff

Songwriting: Harmony
Author: James A. Kachulis

Lesson 1: Generating A Groove and Chord Colors

Parts of a Groove Developing a Groove Four Chord Colors and Lyric Stories Changing Colors of Chords - Variations

Lesson 2: Colors of Keys and Songs From Progression

Five Common Keys Colors Building Song By Repetition Contrasting Sections

Lesson 3: Power Progressions

Major Key Minor Key Mixolydian Key Dorian Key Blues Key Building Songs From Power Progressions

Lesson 4: Rhythm Variations of Power Progressions

Progression Length Chord Rhythm Chord Order

Lesson 5: Song Sections From Rhythm Variations

Contrasting Sections Two Sections Two Progressions

Three Sections Two Progressions

Lesson 6: Pitch Variations of Power Progressions

Subtract Chords Add Chords Replace Chords Add Pedal Parts

Lesson 7: Song Sections From Pitch Variations

Contrasting Two Sections Contrasting Three Sections

Lesson 8: Melody and Harmony

Coloring a Word Coloring a Phrase Coloring a Lyric Section

Lesson 9: Ways of Coming Home

Full Cadences Half Cadences Deceptive Cadences Plagal Cadences Mixed Cadences

Lesson 10: Song Sections Using Cadences

Verse/Refrain Verse Chorus Bridge Connecting Sections With Cadences

Lesson 11: Modulation

Parallel Key Modulation Relative Modulation Surprising Key Modulation

Lesson 12: Modulation In Songs

Modulation In A Section Modulation Between Sections