Y E A R 9 U N I T 5 – P O P U L A R S O N G W 1 2

Popular Song – Composing Sheets

1. Composing a Hook/Riff for your Popular Song
1. Begin by writing a one-bar rhythmic hook/riff 2. Now turn this into a MELODIC hook/riff

You could use the AEOLIAN MODE using the notes shown below – starting and finishing on then note A

3. Next, add some chords to your HOOK/RIFF. If you’ve used the AEOLIAN MODE, the following chords work well:

Chord of A minor (notes A C E); Chord of E minor (notes E G B); Chord of D minor (notes D F A)

Write your chords under your MELODIC riff above.

4. Next, compose a BASS LINE and CHORDS for your Popular Song. Use the following sheets to help you plan your song and think
carefully about where you are going to use your HOOK/RIFF within your song.

W W W . M U S I C A L C O N T E X T S . C O . U K
Y E A R 9 U N I T 5 – P O P U L A R S O N G W 1 2

2. Popular Song – Chords/Bass Line/Structure Sheet

Intro

Verse 1 Chorus

Verse 2 Chorus

Middle
Eight/Bridge

Chorus

Outro/Coda

W W W . M U S I C A L C O N T E X T S . C O . U K
Y E A R 9 U N I T 5 – P O P U L A R S O N G W 1 2

3. Popular Song Lyrics Sheet

VERSE 1
Line 1
Line 2 (make line 2 rhyme with line 1)
Line 3
Line 4 (make line 4 rhyme with line 3)

CHORUS (needs to be catchy to sell the song!)

Either:
Line 1
Line 2 (repeated three times)
Or:
Line 1
Line 2
Repeat Lines 1 & 2

VERSE 2 (follow the pattern of verse 1)

Line 1
Line 2 (make line 2 rhyme with line 1)
Line 3
Line 4 (make line 4 rhyme with line 3)

W W W . M U S I C A L C O N T E X T S . C O . U K
 Y E A R 9 U N I T 5 – P O P U L A R S O N G W 1 2

4. Popular Song Checklist - Did our song have….?

A catchy A good rhythmic Lyrics that fit
A catchy Bass
Hook/Riff pattern in the with the
Line that
?
chords? moves? chords?

An Intro and A Bridge/Middle

Coda/Outro? Eight to hear a
new idea?

Finally, give your group a band name and list the members

Contrast
between verse
and chorus?

W W W . M U S I C A L C O N T E X T S . C O . U K