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?

2 3 4

1/10

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

Press one, miss one, press one Miss one, press one, miss one Press one, miss one, miss one

2/10

Q3.What are the primary triads in roman numerals?

I, II V I II V I IV V

3/10

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

D, E, A Dm, Em, Am Cm, Fm, Gm

4/10

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

Major Minor Most

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

7/10

Q8.What chord and instrument does this show?

Ukulele, G major Guitar, E minor Guitar, A minor

8/10

Q9.What does syncopated mean?

Emphasising the strong beats Emphasising the weak beats Off beat

9/10

Q10.What is the accompaniment?

The main melody The drum beat The 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?

2 3 4

1/10

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

Press one, miss one, press one Miss one, press one, miss one Press one, miss one, miss one

2/10

Q3.What are the primary triads in roman numerals?

I, II V I II V I IV V

3/10

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

D, E, A Dm, Em, Am Cm, Fm, Gm

4/10

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

Major Minor Most

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

7/10

Q8.What chord and instrument does this show?

Ukulele, G major Guitar, E minor Guitar, A minor

8/10

Q9.What does syncopated mean?

Emphasising the strong beats Emphasising the weak beats Off beat

9/10

Q10.What is the accompaniment?

The main melody The drum beat The 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 plan The order that you play the notes in The 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?

Verse Chorus Bridge

2/10

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

Verse Chorus Bridge

3/10

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

Intro Bridge Start

4/10

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

Verse Bridge Pre chorus

5/10

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

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

6/10

Q7.Where would you find a pre chorus?

Before the chorus At the same time as the chorus After the chorus

7/10

Q8.What parts are the accompaniment?

Melody, chords, rhythm Melody, bass line, rhythm Chords, bass line, rhythm

8/10

Q9.How can you vary the accompaniment?

Change the rhythm Make it louder Play it faster

9/10

Q10.What is 'strumming'?

When you sweep your fingers across the strings When you pluck the strings When 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 plan The order that you play the notes in The 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?

Verse Chorus Bridge

2/10

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

Verse Chorus Bridge

3/10

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

Intro Bridge Start

4/10

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

Verse Bridge Pre chorus

5/10

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

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

6/10

Q7.Where would you find a pre chorus?

Before the chorus At the same time as the chorus After the chorus

7/10

Q8.What parts are the accompaniment?

Melody, chords, rhythm Melody, bass line, rhythm Chords, bass line, rhythm

8/10

Q9.How can you vary the accompaniment?

Change the rhythm Make it louder Play it faster

9/10

Q10.What is 'strumming'?

When you sweep your fingers across the strings When you pluck the strings When 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?