What is a chorus?
Choruses are songs with repeated sections or phrases. A chorus is a great way to emphasize a message or idea in music. This post explores what a chorus is and how it’s used in a variety of different musical styles.
How do you write a chorus?
- Start with the main theme or message of your song. The chorus should be the part of the song where you deliver your main message or theme in the most concise and memorable way possible.
- Make it catchy. The chorus should be the most memorable part of the song, so try to come up with a melody and lyrics that people will want to sing along to.
- Keep it simple. The chorus should be straightforward and easy to understand, so avoid using complex melodies or lyrics that are hard to follow.
- Make it stand out. The chorus should be different from the verse in some way, whether it’s the melody, the lyrics, or the overall mood. This will help it stand out and make it more memorable.
- Keep it short. Choruses are typically shorter than verses, so try to keep your chorus to around 8-12 lines of lyrics.
- Experiment with different chord progressions. Choruses often use different chord progressions than verses, so try experimenting with different chord combinations to find a progression that works well for your chorus.
What is a counter melody?
A counter melody is a secondary melody played by the opposite voice part to the primary melody. In other words, it’s the other voice part that plays the chord or tonic note in the background while the main melody is singing or playing.
How to write a counter melody?
- Start by choosing a key and a chord progression for your song. This will give you a foundation for your main melody and counter melody to build upon.
- Write your main melody first. This will be the melody that carries the main message or theme of your song.
- Consider the structure and form of your song. You may want to have your counter melody appear in certain sections of the song, such as the verse or bridge.
- Experiment with different melodies and see how they work with the main melody. You can try singing or playing different melodies over the top of the main melody to see which ones sound the best.
- Pay attention to the relationship between the main melody and the counter melody. You want the two melodies to complement each other and create a cohesive whole, rather than conflicting with each other.
- Experiment with different instrumentation or harmonies to create a counter melody. You can try using a different instrument or adding harmonies to the main melody to create a counter melody.
- Keep in mind the overall mood and atmosphere of your song. Your counter melody should fit with the overall feel of the song and enhance the main melody rather than distracting from it.
- Practice and revise until you find a counter melody that works well with your main melody. It may take some trial and error to find the right counter melody, so be patient and keep experimenting until you find the one that works best.
