Musical journeys: Songwriting

What is songwriting?

Songwriting means to make a song.

This includes making the words and the music.

Lyrics are the words in a song.

The music that goes with the lyrics is called the accompaniment.

How do you make a song?

To make a song you need:

• some lyrics
• a melody
• quite often some accompaniment

The melody is the tune. This is put together with the lyrics so it can be sung.

Can you think of some catchy melodies in the songs that you like?

What is structure?

Songs have a structure. This is the order that the different parts of a song happen.

Some songs have verses and choruses. These are different sections of a song.

A chorus is often the catchiest bit of a song. It often repeats and has the same words.

Verses usually fit around the choruses and have different words.

What are your favourite songs?

Do you know the names of the people or bands that made them?

What is an accompaniment?

The accompaniment is the music for a song. It depends on what the song is about.

Instruments can be played in lots of different ways.

This helps create different moods and feelings.

You can use tempo and dynamics to help tell the story of your song.

What tempo might you use for a sad song?

What dynamics might you use for a song about a party?

Watch: Stories and lyrics with Joss Stone

Watch how famous songwriter, Joss Stone, makes up her lyrics.

Can you make up some lyrics about your favourite hobby?

Activities

Quiz

Glossary

Here are the meanings of some important words.

Songwriting - To make a song.
Lyrics - The words in a song.
Accompaniment - The music that supports the main singer in a song.
Melody - The tune.
Structure - The order different parts of a piece of music are played or sung.
Verse - A section of a song that repeats but has different words.
Chorus - A catchy section in a song that often repeats.
Tempo - The speed of the music, how slow or fast it is.
Dynamics - The volume of the music, how quiet or loud it is.