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20.1 · Song Form

The map of a song

Zoom all the way out and a song is a map of sections. The verse tells the story, the chorus is the payoff you came for, and the bridge goes somewhere else so the last chorus feels new again. Each section usually keeps its own chord loop.

Three sections, three loops

One loop per section, played in miniature. Listen for the character change at every switch.

lower, storytelling, leaning forward
brighter, opens on home, the payoff
somewhere else on purpose, hanging on V

Now play the whole map

A mini song: verse, chorus, verse, chorus, bridge, chorus. Watch the map light up as it moves section to section.

VerseChorusVerseChorusBridgeChorus

Quiz

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The chorus is usually…

Score 100% on every quiz and game to complete this lesson.Three classic maps →