Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa.
There is no wrong way to write a song. This is simply a way to get you started. Songs will come differently every time you write one. Sometimes melody and lyrics come first, sometimes a title or theme idea. Also, these tips assume that you can play four or more chords on an instrument or in some kind of music editing program.
Most pop songs follow a certain form. Usually Verse 1, Chorus, Verse 2, Chorus, Bridge, Chorus. Verses are the parts that tell the story. The chorus is the part that repeats the same every time and usually has a catchy melody. The bridge is usually an instrumental solo of some kind and uses different chords or a different rhythmic pattern than any other place in the song.
Chords and the order they go in cannot be copy written, only melody and lyrics can. For your first song it is okay to use the chords from one of your favorite songs. C, F, G, am, dm, em in any order sound great together. Keep it simple and play only four or five of them for each section of the song. Make sure you use the same progression every time that section repeats.
For example your song should go something like this:
Intro – C, G
Verse 1 – C, F, G, am
Chorus – C, G, F, G
Verse 2 – C, F, G, am
Chorus – C, G, F, G
Bridge – em, am, C, G
Chorus – C, G, F, G
Ending – G, C
Your title can come from anywhere; a newspaper story, book title, I especially love the poems of Shel Silverstein for inspiration. Try to limit it to one to four words. Your title will also give you the theme and topic for your song, Adele and Taylor Swift and great examples to study. Here are some random words from titles from the books on my shelf to get you started: Star Machine, Guilty, Teardrop Romance, Nobody, Penny Road.
Using your title as a topic, write your lyrics sticking to your form. Here is an example using the poem “Nobody” by Shel Silverstein:
Verse 1
Nobody loves me, Nobody cares,
Nobody picks me peaches and pears.
Nobody offers me candy and Cokes,
Nobody listens and laughs at my jokes.
Chorus
But yesterday night I got quite a scare,
I woke up and Nobody just wasn’t there.
I called out and reached out for Nobody’s hand,
In the darkness where Nobody usually stands.
Verse 2
Nobody helps when I get in a fight,
Nobody does all my homework at night.
Nobody misses me, Nobody cries,
Nobody thinks I’m a wonderful guy.
Chorus
But yesterday night I got quite a scare,
I woke up and Nobody just wasn’t there.
I called out and reached out for Nobody’s hand,
In the darkness where Nobody usually stands.
Bridge
Then I poked through the house, in each cranny and nook,
But I found somebody each place that I looked.
I searched till I’m tired, and now with the dawn,
There’s no doubt about it- Nobody’s gone!
Chorus
But yesterday night I got quite a scare,
I woke up and Nobody just wasn’t there.
I called out and reached out for Nobody’s hand,
In the darkness where Nobody usually stands.
Pop music writers like to include a riff or hook in the song. It is a pattern of three to six notes that is memorable and repeats throughout the song.
Like any other form of art it takes lots of reworking and layers upon layers to make a masterpiece. So keep writing and reworking your song as needed. It will get easier every time you write a song, so keep doing it!
Top Billing Ent. was my second home during grade school. It provided me a safe space to explore my art, and hone my love for singing, acting and writing my own songs. Ms. K has been there for me since I was 5 years old and continues to support me in everything I do. I am the person and artist that I am today because of the many supportive and inspiring art educators who uplifted me at a young age – that’s Ms. K and the teachers at TBE. Thank you for teaching me and most of all, believing in me.
When my daughter Sam turned 5, I knew the pretend plays of being a singer or an actor at preschool and at home were getting to another level of love for the performing arts. She’s shown passion and ambition even at a young age and I felt the need to nurture that. I looked for a performing arts after-school program in Glendora and couldn’t find one that suited our needs (various performing arts disciplines, weekday and weekend schedules, not far from home, great teachers, friendly and safe atmosphere) until Ms. K hosted a Glendora’s Got Talent and announced that she was opening a school in our city! Ms. K became Sam’s first official voice teacher. She not only taught her how to hone her skills, she also helped her develop self confidence and love of performing. Top Billing Ent. created a place where one can explore different forms of performing arts- dancing, acting, playing an instrument, singing, performing with an ensemble, etc. There were no limits. Not only is TBE a creative haven, it was a safe space to be your authentic self with people who are inclusive and respectful. My daughter made lasting friendships in the 9 years of being under Ms.K and being part of the early summer productions and holiday shows. It nurtured my daughter’s love for the art, and inspired her as she went on to attend the California School Of The Arts in middle school and high school and now scheduled to attend NYU Tisch School Of The Arts after graduation. Sam is also fortunate to be one of the cast of the hit Netflix show “That 90’s Show”….And all of this started with a 5 year old dressed in a Dorothy costume, looking starry eyed at Ms.K. She has been a chasing dreams ever since.
I could not be happier with my experience at Top Billing. I signed my 5 year old son up for their musical theater productions, Beauty and the Beast Jr. and Seussical Jr. Not only is he having a ton of fun, being creative, making friends, and learning about performing arts, the teachers and the owner/producer Ms. K, have a genuine and deep care for the kids and get to know them and really see them for who they are. Also, Ms. K. works very hard to keep the environment healthy and bully free for everyone involved which I really admire. They put the children’s comfort and individuality first and the beautiful productions and well attended performances are a testament the magic they are able to inspire in these young performers. My son always looks forward to rehearsal and being in the shows and always asks to be in the next one! As a parent, I have volunteered many hours to help make props, costumes, and set pieces for the productions as well as helping out backstage during the shows and it has been so rewarding and a fun way to make new friends, too. It truly is an incredibly welcoming family feeling and takes so many caring hands to create these broadway level children’s theater productions. We’ll for sure be signing up for more classes and performances and highly recommend anyone looking for a fun and kid-centered performing arts experience, look no further than Top Billing!
We have been with Top Billing for 12 years. My daughter has taken dance lessons, vocal lessons and has performed in 19 productions with Top Billing. This company is truly one of a kind! My daughter has made lifelong memories and friendships. She has grown as a person and as a performer. She is using all that she has learned to move onto the next level. She made it into a top theater school with the talents she has gained with Top Billing. We could not recommend this company more!
My daughter has truly enjoyed every minute that she has performed with Top Billing. We’ve mainly participated in the musicals, but they have been such a fun and rewarding experience for both of us. Ms. K, Ms. Eileen and the staff put %110 into their work, and create a fun, safe and supportive community for all involved. The parents are also very nice and supportive, and while it’s a lot of hard work for parents, staff and kids to put a show on, it’s totally worth it when your child is on stage and performing his/ her heart out! We’re so thankful to have found Top Billing and highly recommend them!
Top Billing is one of our favorite places. Forget the fact that my daughter gets to have fun and get moving, she is also improving her coordination/ strength/ and Flexibility, but more importantly, she also has made some great friends. TBE gives opportunities for kids to practice leadership skills in a supportive setting. They teach kids how to support and lift each other up and be a genuine friend and good person.
Top Billing Entertainment Performance Academy has been our second family for over a decade, nurturing our children’s talents in acting, dance, and singing while fostering lasting friendships. Their commitment to excellence in productions and the supportive community they’ve created make it the perfect place for young performers to grow and thrive..
We’ve been involved with TBE since my daughter was 5. As an only child, she’s found a family of sisters and brothers at TBE along with lots extended family and awesome role models in the teachers and other parents. TBE has become a part of our family. We love all the options available, she loves Dance Team, Musical Theater Class and performances, Private Lessons, and the majority of the other classes. She’d take everything… if only there were enough hours in the day!
As a parent and career educator, it has always been important to me to find spaces where my children can explore their giftings and develop into well-rounded individuals who are confident in what they have to offer the world. We found that place in Top Billing. Ms. K and her staff work tirelessly to foster a creative space where students are safe to show up as their authentic selves and be welcomed unconditionally.
Over the last 4 years, my children have participated in group classes, musicals, a full length film, summer camps, and the dance team. I love that when they are at Top Billing, they are being invested in by caring adults and are growing in the crafts that bring them joy. I also love that my younger children have the benefit of watching and building relationships with the older students who are so much farther along in their creative journeys. It is so refreshing to see students from all walks of life creating and investing in a community. We have found a home at Top Billing and we couldn’t be more grateful to be a part of it.
My son has been taking voice lessons and performing in the musical theater shows at Top Billing for 5 years now. The teachers and staff are so supportive and talented. We are proud to be part of the Top Billing family.
As a non-profit 501(c)3 our staff, board members, and performers are all owners of Top Billing Entertainment Performance Academy.
As a non-profit 501(c)3 our staff, board members, and performers are all owners of Top Billing Entertainment Performance Academy.
