Melody in Songwriting by Jack Perricone

Author:Jack Perricone [Perricone, Jack]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781476867106
Publisher: Berklee Press
Published: 2013-08-13T00:00:00+00:00

An introductory verse is usually stated only once and functions as an introduction to the main body of the song, the chorus. The length and form of the introductory verse vary greatly and are dependent upon each individual dramatic situation.

the chorus

The chorus of the “standards” type of song is the whole song divorced from its introductory verse. There are a number of formats that this “standards” type usually utilizes. The most frequent is the AABA in which the first section A, containing the central statement, is repeated and followed by a contrasting section B known as the bridge (also referred to as the “release”), which then returns to the first section A. The A section usually contains the title, which appears either at the beginning or at the end of it.5

Another format for the chorus of a “standards” type of song is the ABAB1 or ABAC a form that is characterized by the lack of a complete closure of the A section, with the climax of the song usually occurring in the B1 or C section. The ABAB1 is similar to the ABAC. When the B section is repeated, it is usually slightly altered to make a suitable ending.

The lack of a complete closure of the A section causes this form to be heard in two large sections: || A B | A B1 (or C) ||. B and B1 or C aren’t meant to contrast drastically with the A section and do not function as a bridge; rather, they are meant to add variety, usually by developing materials already presented in the A section.

The 32-measure “standards” chorus tends to be balanced, especially in the number of measures in each section. If the A section in an AABA chorus is eight measures long, then it and its repetition yield 16 measures. If the B section is also eight measures long and is followed by the last A section (another eight measures), then these last two sections (16 measures) perfectly balance the first two sections. The ABAC or ABAB1 choruses also tend to be balanced because the B section (or B1 or C sections) are usually the same number of measures as the A section.

Note that although most songs written in the era of the “standards” song form were 32 measures long, many exceptions exist. Composers such as Cole Porter, Harold Arlen, Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim stretched choruses well beyond 32 measures

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