Having learned well over a thousand songs by hearing, I can say with confidence that most contemporary songs are structured with the following sequential elements -

INTRO - An introduction to a song is provided by an instrument, orchestra, or even sung by a singer. It often duplicates a part of the main melody, but could also have its own unique tune.

MELODY 1 - The main melody of the song , which usually ends with an ‘unresolved’ phrasing in order to lead you on to the next melody section

MELODY 2 - This second part melody – usually with a little more emphasis - is typically a repeat of Melody 1, but its last few notes will typically bring the melody section (1 and 2) to a close.

CHORUS - This part sounds is totally different and deviates from the main melody. It’s almost like the singer wants to ‘explain’ or ‘elaborate’ on what was said (sung) in Melodies 1 and 2.

MELODY 2 - This is just to bring back and remind the listener of the main tune again, and then it’s over next to someone else for a different voice/sound or improvisation (usually based on the same chords flowing in the melody).

SOLO or ADLIB - This part offers a variation from the above tunes, so that the song doesn’t sound ‘stale’ by this point, which could be the case if you do just another repeat of what’s already been heard. The solo here could duplicate the melody, or be some totally-different tune from what’s heard so far. It could be sung by a different singer/chours, or else performed by an instrumentalist or orchestra.

REPEAT CHORUS – The chorus is typically repeated again after the foregoing improvisation part.

REPEAT MELODY 2 – At this point nearing the end, the familiar Melody 2 is heard again, as a final reminder of song’s main tune.

ENDING – To finally end a song, the composer typically repeats the last part of Melody 2, does another Adlib, or repeats the Intro. The song could end with a concluding note, or just fade out.

It’s good to know about song structure because:

- it helps with knowing what to expect and how to conveniently break down/ categorize and write the song while you’re learning it

- it’s easier to read the notes when they’re in the above logical sections

- it helps with composing, because you ‘re aware what a typical song should at least have and you’d need to offer. Of course you can get extraordinarily creative and not follow these conventions, if you think your song will work out successfully.

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