Songwriters Songwriters Song Structure and Form Questions and Answers 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is a 'pre-chorus' in song structure?
- A section that builds tension between the verse and chorus (Correct answer)
- The opening instrumental section
- A repeated lyrical phrase at the end of a song
- The final verse before the outro
Correct answer: A section that builds tension between the verse and chorus
A pre-chorus serves as a transitional section that creates momentum leading into the chorus.
Question 2: In AABA song form, what does the 'B' section represent?
- The bridge or middle eight (Correct answer)
- The chorus
- The verse
- The coda
Correct answer: The bridge or middle eight
In AABA form, the B section is the bridge (or middle eight) that provides contrast before returning to the A section.
Question 3: What distinguishes a 'through-composed' song from a strophic song?
- Through-composed songs have continuously new music with little or no repetition (Correct answer)
- Through-composed songs repeat the same melody for every verse
- Through-composed songs always include a chorus
- Through-composed songs are shorter than strophic songs
Correct answer: Through-composed songs have continuously new music with little or no repetition
Through-composed songs feature new musical material throughout rather than repeating the same structure for each section.
Question 4: What is the typical function of a 'post-chorus' in modern pop songwriting?
- To extend the energy of the chorus with a memorable hook or chant (Correct answer)
- To introduce a new key signature
- To slow the tempo before the next verse
- To replace the need for a bridge
Correct answer: To extend the energy of the chorus with a memorable hook or chant
A post-chorus reinforces the chorus energy and often contains an additional catchy melodic or rhythmic hook.
Question 5: What does the term 'turnaround' refer to in songwriting?
- A short chord progression at the end of a section that leads back to the beginning (Correct answer)
- A tempo change in the middle of a song
- The moment a song shifts from minor to major key
- A technique where the singer changes vocal register
Correct answer: A short chord progression at the end of a section that leads back to the beginning
A turnaround is a brief harmonic passage at the end of a section that creates momentum to cycle back to the start.
Question 6: Which song structure is most commonly used in contemporary hit radio (CHR) music?
- Verse-Chorus-Verse-Chorus-Bridge-Chorus (Correct answer)
- AABA
- 12-bar blues
- Through-composed
Correct answer: Verse-Chorus-Verse-Chorus-Bridge-Chorus
The verse-chorus-verse-chorus-bridge-chorus format dominates modern pop and CHR because of its balance of repetition and contrast.
Songwriters Songwriters Song Structure and Form Questions and Answers 2
What is a 'pre-chorus' in song structure?