The Pop Song

Programme Outline

This 20-minute programme takes students through the carefully sequenced stages that lead towards the production of a finished product, in this case a pop song.

The presenter begins by highlighting two factors for consideration in order to fulfil the brief: style and structure.

The students begin their work by analysing some pop songs. Among the aspects discussed are rhythm, timbre, hooks, repetition, and texture.

To begin with they have to make the following decisions:

• A topic for the song. (They decide the song should have a 'message'.)
• Lyrics or music first? (They decide to do the music first.)

They know that the school band is based around guitar, bass, drums and vocals. One student has an idea for a chord sequence, so they begin there (C-E^b-F-G). Words for the chorus are created through group discussion. They have one line of lyrics per chord.

The students then have the opportunity to take their 'work in progress' to a professional composer, Danny Schogger, who gives them a way of approaching melody writing:

• Decide on the mood or feeling you're trying to create.
• Improvise around your chord sequence vocally and listen critically to what you create.
• Let the lyrics guide the rhythm of your melody.
• Use repetition, but keep up the interest by changing the texture or adding harmonies.

Once the basics of the song are composed, the structure and structure are addressed with help from a visit to a recording studio. Here the students are taken through the way a local band (Magicdrive) have put together their latest song.

The composer takes them through the song section by section and makes the following key points:

• Use doubling of instruments to add strength to a line.
• Backing vocals are a good idea in a chorus.
• Make the chorus 'sing along'.
• The middle-eight needs to create a contrast.
• A section can be developed so that it's slightly different each time it comes round.
• Don't put a chorus in an obvious place. Build tension by keeping the listener waiting.

Having composed most of the music for their song, the group sit down to discuss the structure. This process continues as they go into the 'rehearsal' stage of their work. Here they have an opportunity to make amendments and also to get input from the performers. The song is arranged collaboratively by the composers and performers. The programme ends with a video of the group's song.