How are pop songs constructed?

In this lesson, we will learn all about the different sections in a song structure. We will learn how to play a complete pop song, and then structure our own pop songs in a digital audio workstation.

This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Quiz:

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Before we start this lesson, let’s see what you can remember from this topic. Here’s a quick quiz!

Q1.How many notes are in a triad?

234

1/10

Q2.How can you work out a triad on a keyboard?

Press one, miss one, press oneMiss one, press one, miss onePress one, miss one, miss one

2/10

Q3.What are the primary triads in roman numerals?

I, II VI II VI IV V

3/10

Q4.What are the three secondary triads in C major?

D, E, ADm, Em, AmCm, Fm, Gm

4/10

Q5.What does the 'm' in Dm mean?

MajorMinorMost

5/10

Q6.What is a semitone?

The smallest distance between 2 pitches (1 step)A distance between 2 pitches (2 steps)A micro note

6/10

Q7.What does this symbol mean?

A quaver, 1/2 beatA quaver rest, don't play for 1/2 beatA crotchet, 1/2 beat

7/10

Q8.What chord and instrument does this show?

Ukulele, G majorGuitar, E minorGuitar, A minor

8/10

Q9.What does syncopated mean?

Emphasising the strong beatsEmphasising the weak beatsOff beat

9/10

Q10.What is the accompaniment?

The main melodyThe drum beatThe other parts under the melody

10/10

This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Quiz:

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Before we start this lesson, let’s see what you can remember from this topic. Here’s a quick quiz!

Q1.How many notes are in a triad?

234

1/10

Q2.How can you work out a triad on a keyboard?

Press one, miss one, press oneMiss one, press one, miss onePress one, miss one, miss one

2/10

Q3.What are the primary triads in roman numerals?

I, II VI II VI IV V

3/10

Q4.What are the three secondary triads in C major?

D, E, ADm, Em, AmCm, Fm, Gm

4/10

Q5.What does the 'm' in Dm mean?

MajorMinorMost

5/10

Q6.What is a semitone?

The smallest distance between 2 pitches (1 step)A distance between 2 pitches (2 steps)A micro note

6/10

Q7.What does this symbol mean?

A quaver, 1/2 beatA quaver rest, don't play for 1/2 beatA crotchet, 1/2 beat

7/10

Q8.What chord and instrument does this show?

Ukulele, G majorGuitar, E minorGuitar, A minor

8/10

Q9.What does syncopated mean?

Emphasising the strong beatsEmphasising the weak beatsOff beat

9/10

Q10.What is the accompaniment?

The main melodyThe drum beatThe other parts under the melody

10/10

Video

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Worksheet

These slides will take you through some tasks for the lesson. If you need to re-play the video, click the ‘Resume Video’ icon. If you are asked to add answers to the slides, first download or print out the worksheet. Once you have finished all the tasks, click ‘Next’ below.

This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Quiz:

How can we play in a virtual band?

Don’t worry if you get a question wrong! Forgetting is an important step in learning. We will recap next lesson.

Q1.What is structure in music?

The way the music is laid out/ the planThe order that you play the notes inThe way the melodies and chords fit together

1/10

Q2.What do you call the catchy section of a song that repeats, with the same lyrics each time?

VerseChorusBridge

2/10

Q3.What do you call the sections of a song that repeat, with different lyrics?

VerseChorusBridge

3/10

Q4.What do you call the beginning of a song or piece of music?

IntroBridgeStart

4/10

Q5.What is a contrasting section that prepares us for the chorus again?

VerseBridgePre chorus

5/10

Q6.What is the correct order of a typical song structure?

Intro, verse 1, chorus, bridge, verse 2, chorus, chorus, outroIntro, verse 1, chorus, verse 2, chorus, bridge, chorus, outroIntro, verse 1, bridge, chorus , chorus , verse 2, chorus, outro

6/10

Q7.Where would you find a pre chorus?

Before the chorusAt the same time as the chorusAfter the chorus

7/10

Q8.What parts are the accompaniment?

Melody, chords, rhythmMelody, bass line, rhythmChords, bass line, rhythm

8/10

Q9.How can you vary the accompaniment?

Change the rhythmMake it louderPlay it faster

9/10

Q10.What is 'strumming'?

When you sweep your fingers across the stringsWhen you pluck the stringsWhen you hit the strings

10/10

This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Quiz:

How can we play in a virtual band?

Don’t worry if you get a question wrong! Forgetting is an important step in learning. We will recap next lesson.

Q1.What is structure in music?

The way the music is laid out/ the planThe order that you play the notes inThe way the melodies and chords fit together

1/10

Q2.What do you call the catchy section of a song that repeats, with the same lyrics each time?

VerseChorusBridge

2/10

Q3.What do you call the sections of a song that repeat, with different lyrics?

VerseChorusBridge

3/10

Q4.What do you call the beginning of a song or piece of music?

IntroBridgeStart

4/10

Q5.What is a contrasting section that prepares us for the chorus again?

VerseBridgePre chorus

5/10

Q6.What is the correct order of a typical song structure?

Intro, verse 1, chorus, bridge, verse 2, chorus, chorus, outroIntro, verse 1, chorus, verse 2, chorus, bridge, chorus, outroIntro, verse 1, bridge, chorus , chorus , verse 2, chorus, outro

6/10

Q7.Where would you find a pre chorus?

Before the chorusAt the same time as the chorusAfter the chorus

7/10

Q8.What parts are the accompaniment?

Melody, chords, rhythmMelody, bass line, rhythmChords, bass line, rhythm

8/10

Q9.How can you vary the accompaniment?

Change the rhythmMake it louderPlay it faster

9/10

Q10.What is 'strumming'?

When you sweep your fingers across the stringsWhen you pluck the stringsWhen you hit the strings

10/10

Lesson summary: How are pop songs constructed?

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The next lesson in:
Band Musicianship 1: The four-chord trick
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How can we perform drum patterns in popular music?

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How are pop songs constructed?

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Video

Worksheet

How can we play in a virtual band?

How can we play in a virtual band?

Lesson summary: How are pop songs constructed?

It looks like you have not completed one of the quizzes.

Time to move!

The next lesson in: Band Musicianship 1: The four-chord trick is: How can we perform drum patterns in popular music?

Browse Oak's lessons:

The next lesson in:
Band Musicianship 1: The four-chord trick
is:
How can we perform drum patterns in popular music?