Rap song structure ᐉ【Rap template and guide for beginners】 (2023)

vonso hearty//20. February//

Attention rappers, singers and songwriters!
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Let's take a look at what you need to create a song structure and what kind of structure exactly you want for your rap songs. There are numerous frameworks, and each of them has its own pros and cons, so it's best to weigh their pros and cons before deciding which one to use.

First we need to know how a song is structured and what it contains. The structure of a rap song is the template order, or the pattern in which sections of the song, such as verses, hooks, and bridges, are presented or repeated. Basically it sets what the lyrics of the song will look like in the order they are in.

Rap song structure ᐉ【Rap template and guide for beginners】 (2)

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Table of contents

1

WHAT IS A PRE-HOK IN A SONG?

1.1

A good example is Kanye West's rap "All of the Lights" in which he uses the pre-hook/pre-chorus. PRE-CHORUS EXAMPLE

1.2

WHAT IS A HOOK OR CHORUS IN A RAP SONG?

1.2.1

Good Examples OF A BRIDGE IN A RAP SONG

1.2.2

Others

1.2.3

different types of song structures

1.2.4

traditional music structure

1.2.5

1.2.6

SAMPLE RAP MUSIC TEMPLATE

1.2.7

EXAMPLE OF THE STRUCTURE OF A POP SONG

1.2.8

Rap song structure narrative

1.2.9

Examples of good rap storytelling

Now that that's out of the way, let's look at what constitutes the structure of a song. These are:

  1. introduction
  2. back
  3. Pre-Hook/Pre-Chorus
  4. Chor / Chor
  5. Ponte
  6. Others

How to write an intro for a rap song

As with all songs, the intro is just that, an intro. For most artists, they usually include a small snippetRap-Textehere it takes about 4 bars or even 8 bars. These sounds can be literally anything you want: a bit of speech, some car sounds, murmurs, etc. depending on the song.

Older rappers tend to use this component compared to newer, up-and-coming artists. Use ofThe Great Notorious. "Big Daddy", he can be heard along with Puff Daddy in the intro of the song.

Uh, uh, check (yes), uh
Junior M.A.F.I.A., äh (jeje)
Uh (I like that) yes yes
Nine-fo' (keep hitting)

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How do I start a rap verse?

AThe typical rap verse is usually 16 bars long, is usually repeated three times in a song and has fewer instruments than in a chorus. This is where you usually show yourselfFreestyle-RapAbility to flow with your rhythmHip-Hop-Instrumente.

Nowadays you see verses up to 8 bars and up to 24 bars. 24 bars are usually used in anarrative structure, as it gives you more room to talk, but you'll have to shorten the hook unless you want a really long song. A stanza can be 8 bars, 12 bars, 16 bars and up to 24 bars long.

There are many bars.

If you want to use narrative structure here, use the 24 bars to give yourself more room to tell your story instead of using thatnormal 16 bar seewhich contains only 16 bars.

WHAT IS A PRE-HOK IN A SONG?

This is also known as a back hook or front hook. is there to helpRap-Hook, which often consists of lyrics so repetitive that you'll find yourself repeating them in your head after the song ends.

It usually repeats a statement or something very simple. It can act as a warning that the chorus will come if used beforehand, which as a joke aside is fine, the chorus is one of the most memorable parts of the song.

A pre-hook is one bar at most, so 4 bars and is rarely used in rap songs, but essentially still.

A good example isKanye West's rap "All of the Lights" where he uses the pre-hook/pre-chorus.


PRE-CHORUS EXAMPLE

(All lights) Police lights, flashlights, floodlights
Flashing lights, streetlights (all lights, all lights)
Fast life, drug life, gang life
Rock life, every night (all the lights)

WHAT IS A HOOK OR CHORUS IN A RAP SONG?

One of the most important parts of music, along with the verses. This is the busiest part of the song, with most of the instruments being played for its duration. The main purpose of a chorus is to summarize the overall meaning of the song and lasts between 4 and 8 bars repeated 3 or 4 times in a song.

In this part of the song, it's best to make it memorable because that's what most listeners will focus on, lyrically and melodically.

If you want more informationHow to hook a rap songRead this article here.

Good Examples OF A BRIDGE IN A RAP SONG

You can usually find a bridge between two choruses before the end of the song. They are 4-8 bars long and feel different from the verse and chorus as they contain lyrics not found elsewhere in the song.

You won't hear the bridge in rap songs often, but you will hear it from time to time. The song by 50 Cent P.I.M.P. with Snoop Dogg it has a bridge where you can hear Snoop Dogg deliver it.

F-I-F-T-Y C-E-N-T y S-N duplo O-P
Doggystyle in your mouth for 2003
And everyone knows I'm from the DPG

F-I-F-T-Y C-E-N-T y S-N duplo O-P
We are internationally known and locally respected
(And you know it's just a P.I.M.P!)
what do you know about me now


Others

The outro, like the bridge, is rarely heard in rap songs. However, when used, they can exert a strong sense of music. Just like the intro, it can be any type of noise as long as it fits the song as a whole.

In other cases, a second hook can be used in place of another. Also the tempo and even the tempo of the song can change here. If you don't have anything to add at the end, you can cheat a little and just use the main chorus or hook if you like.

Attention rappers, singers and songwriters!

Let us guide you!!

We have a lot of content in this blog.
Take this simple 20 second testTo help you
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We're going to use the song "The Heart Part 4" by Kendrick Lamar where he has a short ending at the end of his song.

Let's get it!

Look!

on enemies.

various types ofLiedstructures

Now that we've covered all about the parts of a rap song, let's move on to the different types of song structures.

There's no solid number on how many types of structures there are, so it's difficult to cover all types of possible combinations. With that in mind, I'm going to look at the main and most commonly used types of structures.

  1. traditional music structure

This type of song structure is what you usually see in rap songs. Consisting of:Fresh – Crochet – Fresh – Crochet – Fresh – Crochet. It's one of the standard structures, with three verses and three hooks/choruses.

It is used most often because it is one of the simplest structures, not too long and not too short. It usually takes 3-4 minutes depending on the speed of your instrument and the number of bars you want to use in your verses.

Because this structure is so simple, you can play with it to give it your touch. There are also different types of variations that you might see in songs, such as:

SAMPLE RAP MUSIC TEMPLATE
Crochet – Fresh – Crochet – Fresh – Crochet – backit is includedHook - Back - Hook - Bridge - Back - Hook - Other.

You could choose to include intros, endings, and bridges in the structure and it would still be fine. Just don't overdo it. If you listen to most rap songs, you'll find that they use this structure, or some variation of it.

Listen to some rap songs you love or listen to your favorite rapper's album and you might notice the differences with the different types of variations on this structure they use.

  1. EXAMPLE OF THE STRUCTURE OF A POP SONG


This type of song structure is commonly used in pop songs. It is slightly repetitive and is great for younger ones. This structure consists of:

Before chorus - chorus - verse - before chorus - chorus - after chorus - verse - before chorus - chorus - after chorus - bridge - before chorus - chorus - after chorus.



It has a wide range and is ideal to use if you have onetoller Rap-Refrainthe ones you want people to focus on.

This kind of structure lets you use almost all of the components of a song that we talked about a few paragraphs ago and a few more that we didn't mention, but it's not designed for rap songs because there are so many of them . passage that takes you away from the song itself.

Most generic pop songs use this structure. Go ahead and listen to some pop songs, you will surely find that they use this structure more often. This type of song only lasts 2-3 minutes depending on how repetitive the writer makes it.

  1. Rap song structure narrative

This is the song structure to use when you have a lot to say. Verses in this type of structure are 24 bars long, which gives a rapper more than enough time to tell a story with his song. The choruses/hooks are much shorter here, only 4 bars, otherwise the song would be too long.

This type of structure focuses on the emotion of the song and the story being told, rather than the repetition and choruses you hear in the other two structures mentioned. People will only remember your music if your story is worth remembering.

Examples of good rap storytelling

a goodExample of a rap song that tells a story"Stan" by Eminem,where he tells the story of a fan who becomes increasingly obsessed with his favorite artist as his life begins to fall apart. Stan continues writing to Eminem until he finally loses control and commits suicide.

When Em finally responds, he begins to piece the whole story together not only that the scary fan was Stan, but that he was the one who took his own life in his car.

This song is emotionally charged with a compelling narrative, even if the action of a billionaire rap artist responding to a fan letter seemed highly unlikely.

However, there are artists who completely abandon the structure of the song and do what they feel suits their music best. An example of this isDreams and Nightmares by Meek Mill. This song is essentially a long verse that doesn't sound due to the different tempos and tempo changes.

These are the main types of structures that are used. Everything else either falls into a subcategory below or is just a variation on one of the main categories. You can try any of them and find the ones that work for you.

However, you must remember that there is no "right" structure. It just depends on the content you have.

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About the authorso hearty

My goal is to create an information center for songwriters, my plans will also include contributions from other songwriters and rap artists on how they create their work and the skills they have acquired over the years in the music industry.

I hope you enjoy Dan's Blog - The Getchorus.com Admin

FAQs

What are the 7 steps to write a rap song? ›

How to Write a Rap Song in 7 Steps
  1. Find your topic or inspiration. If you already have something you want to to write about, great! ...
  2. Get familiar with structure. ...
  3. Sit down and write lyrics, or "bars" in rap lingo. ...
  4. Rewrite and refine. ...
  5. Practice out loud. ...
  6. Memorize! ...
  7. Yes, share it.

How to write a rap song template? ›

Here's the rap writing template in a nutshell:
  1. Pick a topic.
  2. Song summary paragraph.
  3. Choose your phrases.
  4. Choose your rhymes.
  5. Piece it together.

What are the 6 main parts to a rap song structure form? ›

Here are the 6 essential parts of a rap song:
  • Intro.
  • Verse.
  • Pre-chorus.
  • Chorus.
  • Bridge.
  • Outro.

What is the basic structure of a rap song? ›

Nearly every rap song consists of three basic parts: intros, hooks (choruses) and verses. Occasionally, you'll see some other elements, but usually rappers stick to these three. Most songs begin with some instrumental bars, which are typically followed by a verse, although some do start with a hook.

What are the 3 elements of rap? ›

The components of rap include "content" (what is being said e.g. lyrics), "flow" (rhythm, rhyme), and "delivery" (cadence, tone). Rap differs from spoken-word poetry in that it is usually performed off-time to musical accompaniment.

How do beginners sing rap? ›

Here are a few valuable tips on how to rap for beginner.
  1. Listen to the iconic rappers: Listen to rappers who challenged social norms and their circumstances with their music. ...
  2. Learn rhyme and rhyme schemes. ...
  3. Rap lyrics writing. ...
  4. Count the bars and note the tones.
May 21, 2018

How do I start making raps? ›

How to become a rapper
  1. Learn about different types of music. The first step you can take toward becoming a rapper is to familiarize yourself with a variety of music. ...
  2. Develop your writing skills. ...
  3. Record a mixtape or demo. ...
  4. Market yourself. ...
  5. Make connections in the music industry.
Apr 8, 2022

How to write a song for beginners? ›

Here's a basic step-by-step process beginners can follow to write a song:
  1. Write a chorus melody, using your instrument.
  2. Decide on a song structure.
  3. Write the verse, using your instrument.
  4. Create vocal melodies for chorus and verses.
  5. Write lyrics for those vocal melodies.
  6. Add a bridge, if desired.
  7. Write the intro and outro.
May 31, 2022

What are the 3 main parts of a song structure? ›

A typical song structure includes a verse, chorus, and bridge in the following arrangement: intro, verse — chorus — verse — chorus —bridge — chorus — outro. This is known as an ABABCB structure, where A is the verse, B is the chorus and C is the bridge.

What is 4 bars in rap? ›

In hip-hop and rap music, the time signature is almost always 4/4, which means there are four beats in each bar. Typically, the bass drum or kick drum falls on beat 1 of every bar, with a snare hit on beats 2 and 4.

What are the five elements of rap? ›

The Five Elements of Hip-Hop: emceeing, deejaying, breakin', graff and beatboxing.

What are the 5 parts of a song? ›

Basic song structure consists of an intro, verse, pre-chorus, chorus and bridge (many times, this is all tied together in an outro, too).

How many bars are in a 3 minute song? ›

A three-minute song would usually be around 80 to 90 bars in total depending on the BPM. Taking into account all types of music, the 'average' song has 108 beats per minute. This then equals around 324 beats for three minutes and 81 beats in a song of this length.

What is a rap structure? ›

Talk to the class about the structure of a rap song – it's written in rhyming couplets and tends to have a verse, hook and chorus which is repeated twice or more.

How do you structure a rap beat? ›

How to make a beat
  1. Step 1: Define your vibe. ...
  2. Step 2: Create a bass line. ...
  3. Step 3: Add in the drums. ...
  4. Step 4: Add melodic elements. ...
  5. Step 5: Fill in the gaps. ...
  6. Step 6: Expand the beat. ...
  7. Step 7: Mix and master your beat.
Nov 12, 2021

What are the 4 pillars of hip-hop? ›

The four pillars (graffiti, break dancing, rapping/MCing, and DJing) each play a role in the 16 bars that make up the book.

How do I find my rap voice? ›

Try to strain your voice by slightly tightening the muscles in your throat. If you need help accessing this muscle just act like you're going to cough without making the cough sound. And play around applying varying levels of strain or force to that muscle while you're rapping and see how it sounds.

How do I get good at rapping? ›

9 Tips for Improving Rap Skills and Rhythm
  1. Dive into the culture. You may have your own flavor to share, but you are not the first rapper ever. ...
  2. Find your flow. ...
  3. Think of topics. ...
  4. Dedicate time to it. ...
  5. Focus on the page, not yourself. ...
  6. Share what you do. ...
  7. Practice, practice, practice. ...
  8. Get familiar with your voice.

What is the best start to a rap? ›

The best way to start a rap is to play the beat, listen, open your mouth and hum out the first pattern of flow you feel. The lyrics you write to fit that pattern should reflect the topic of your verse. If you are writing A Capella with no beat, the first line should make your IDEAL FAN want to listen to the next line.

How do you write a rap hook? ›

The art of writing good rap hooks is nuanced yet simple—many of the best rap hooks are just a few catchy words, repeated over and over. That works for two reasons—human ears love repetition, especially in music and the most relatable ideas are often easiest to convey in a few words.

What is the easiest song structure? ›

1. The Verse-Refrain. Most commonly seen in classical music, the “Verse-Refrain” is one of the simplest song structures. It consists of verses followed by a short refrain that sums the song's message up quickly and easily (functioning somewhat like a chorus).

What are the top 10 tips for writing a song? ›

10 Techniques for Writing Memorable Songs
  1. Compose a catchy melody. ...
  2. Use all types of chords. ...
  3. Create a memorable rhythm. ...
  4. Build your song around a riff. ...
  5. Write a song you can play live. ...
  6. Step away from your instrument to write. ...
  7. Get ambitious with song structure.
Dec 10, 2021

How to write a song with no experience? ›

Exercise: Simple Syllables
  1. Create a lyric using one headline from your list.
  2. Count the number of syllables in that lyric.
  3. Say the words several times out loud.
  4. Listen to the rhythmic pattern of the line.
  5. Write a new lyric from scratch that works well with the first lyric.

What are the 2 main parts of a song? ›

Verse–chorus form consists of two main sections – a verse and chorus – that often contrast melodically, rhythmically, harmonically dynamically. Songs in verse–chorus form may also include introductory, transitional and concluding sections.

How many bars should a verse be? ›

Verses are typically 8 or 16 bars long (although not a rule). A relatively common practice is to have the first two verses longer than the last one. For example 16 bars for verse 1 and 2 and 8 bars for verse 3.

What is the first part of song called? ›

Intro. Think of this as a prelude to the actual song. It might be as simple as an instrumental bar or two of the coming verse, or it could be a longer, fully realized section employing alternate tempos and keys.

How many bars is a hook? ›

They're typically four or eight bars in length and repeat multiple times throughout a song. Moreover, hooks can be lyrical, melodic, rhythmic, or instrumental. They support the main idea of a song in a shorter form than a chorus.

What is a hook in rap? ›

A hook is a musical idea, often a short riff, passage, or phrase, that is used in popular music to make a song appealing and to "catch the ear of the listener". The term generally applies to popular music, especially rock, R&B, hip hop, dance, and pop.

What is a 32 bar rap? ›

The 32-bar form, also known as the AABA song form, American popular song form and the ballad form, is a song structure commonly found in Tin Pan Alley songs and other American popular music, especially in the first half of the 20th century.

What are the 5 rules of hip-hop? ›

Hip Hop's Five Pillars: MCing, DJing, Breakdancing, Graffiti, and Knowledge, were born out of the collective spirit of excitement and innovation that describes this moment in Hip-Hop's history.

Does rapping need good voice? ›

2. Learn How To Project Your Voice For Better Rapping. The way you project your voice as a rapper is all important. It's one thing having good lyrics, but if you can't get your voice out there properly, they won't have the same effect.

What makes a rap flow? ›

Flow in rap is the flow of how your words fall onto the kicks and the snares. You want your words to land so that the EMPHASIS or the ACCENT or the STRESS of the word OR phrase lands on either the 1-2-3-4 beat consistently. The ways you change this up will make up the pattern of your rap flow.

What is a song basic structure? ›

Basic song structure consists of an intro, verse, pre-chorus, chorus and bridge (many times, this is all tied together in an outro, too).

How do you start a song off? ›

How To Start A Song: 9 Different Methods
  1. Build A Groove. One of the most intuitive ways to start up a song is by starting with a rhythmic element of the music. ...
  2. Start With A Chord Progression. ...
  3. Pick A Your Song Structure. ...
  4. Write Lyrics. ...
  5. Start with a Note. ...
  6. Layer Some Loops. ...
  7. Find a Reference Track. ...
  8. Create a Melody or Riff.
Mar 13, 2022

What are the most important parts of a song? ›

The Melody is the key. Over 99% of the time, the HOOK of the song is the Melody in the Chorus. A Guitar Riff, or catchy Bass Line, is sometimes a strong Instrumental Hook, but these are also Melodies, just ones that are played on Instruments rather than sang.

What is song structure ABC? ›

Ternary form, sometimes called song form, is a three-part musical form consisting of an opening section (A), a following section (B) and then a repetition of the first section (A). It is usually schematized as A–B–A.

What is the most famous song structure? ›

One of the most popular song structures is the Verse/Chorus or Verse/Chorus/Bridge structure. The most popular of which is Verse (A), Chorus (B), Verse (A), Chorus (B), Bridge (C), Chorus (B) (and maybe a last Chorus repeat). Often referred to as ABABCB (B).

How do you write the order of a song? ›

ABABCB. When it comes to modern pop and rock music, the ABABCB structure is probably the most common one. Simply put, the ABABCB song structure translates to verse/chorus/verse/chorus/bridge/chorus, with an intro and outro bookending the song.

How many bars is a trap song? ›

Every trap beat needs an intro, at least a couple of verses and choruses, as well as an outro. The standard lengths for a rap verse and chorus are 16 bars and 8 bars respectively, whereas the intros and outros can range anywhere from 4 to 8 bars.

How long is one beat? ›

This formula gives the duration of one beat for any tempo. Thus MM e = 120 or 60/120 = 0.5 duration for each beat, i.e., each beat lasts for ½ second.

How many lines in a verse? ›

A verse can be 4 lines! Traditionally, a verse might be longer, but there's no rule regarding the right way to craft a verse. Your verse may be 4 lines, it may be 8, it may be 16. As long as it's thoughtfully constructed, the length doesn't matter.

What are the steps of rapping? ›

Take these steps to learn how to rap:
  1. Listen to rap.
  2. Study the genre's history.
  3. Learn how to emulate.
  4. Choose a topic.
  5. Select a song structure.
  6. Look up rhymes.
  7. Dissect rhythms.
  8. Try a chorus.
Apr 6, 2022

What is the rap writing strategy? ›

Read, Ask, Put in my own words (R.A.P.) is a flexible three-step strategy that students use to improve reading comprehension through questioning and paraphrasing. Students read a passage or text and then ask questions to help summarize what they have read in their own words.

What are the 4 components of rap? ›

There are four elements of Hip-Hop; DJing, MCing(Emceeing), Breakdancing (B-Boying/B-Girling), and Graffiting.

What makes a rap hit? ›

On top of rhyme, incorporating double entendres, idioms, metaphors, etc. really make a rap song impactful. A great rapper knows that clever wordplay will help his or her personal experience connect on a stronger level with listeners.

How do you start a rap flow? ›

4 Steps To Find Your Rap Flow
  1. Step 1: Count To 4 – Seriously. 1-2-3-4 Each one of those numbers represents a beat. ...
  2. Step 2: Identify The Kick And Snare. ...
  3. Step 3: 1-2-3-4 = Kick-Snare-Kick-Snare. ...
  4. Step 4: Words Over Beats For Rap Flow.

How do you master a rap skill? ›

9 Tips for Improving Rap Skills and Rhythm
  1. Dive into the culture. You may have your own flavor to share, but you are not the first rapper ever. ...
  2. Find your flow. ...
  3. Think of topics. ...
  4. Dedicate time to it. ...
  5. Focus on the page, not yourself. ...
  6. Share what you do. ...
  7. Practice, practice, practice. ...
  8. Get familiar with your voice.

How do you rap fast and clearly? ›

6. Rapping Fast Tips From Twista
  1. Repeat the same Rap lyrics over and over and over. ...
  2. Understand Rap bars and structure. ...
  3. Pick the right beats. ...
  4. Record it until it's perfect.

How do you rap fluently? ›

Learn how to rap effectively.
  1. Stress the consonants. If you try to rap the way you talk, it won't be comprehensible.
  2. Keep your words clear. ...
  3. Rhythm is more important than rhyme. ...
  4. Be loud! ...
  5. Think ahead of what you're rapping so you don't get stuck stuttering or searching for the words.

What is rap framework? ›

The four RAP types – Reflect, Innovate, Stretch and Elevate – allow organisations to continuously develop their reconciliation commitments. Reconciliation Australia's RAP Framework provides organisations with a structured approach to advance reconciliation.

What is the rap system? ›

The RAP System and Cortex

It is a Smart System of simple, clear, intuitive modules, with the intelligence to assure complete Control of Work audit compliance and drive continuous Safety Improvement.

How are all rap songs made? ›

Typically, hip hop music consists of rhythmic lyrics making use of techniques like assonance, alliteration, and rhyme. The rapper is accompanied by an instrumental track, usually referred to as a " beat," performed by a DJ, created by a producer, or one or more instrumentalists.

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