Estimated reading time 2 minutes
Table of Contents
Introduction
“What exactly is a ballad and how do you write one?” Ballads have been around for a long time but remain a popular song form to this day. Keep reading to get the definition and some expert advice for writing your song.
This post uses musical terms. For definitions, see the Glossary at the end of the article.
What exactly is a ballad?
Basically, a ballad tells a tale through music.
- Many pop songs focus on the music over the words. However, a ballad focuses on the narrative, creating a miniature universe.
- Ralph Murphy said that they need to be catchy, but not too catchy. If a ballad is too catchy, people burnout on the song before it can reach #1.
- Alternatively, some songwriters define a ballad as a slow romantic song with no special emphasis on the story. So, there are no hard and fast rules for how they work
Video examples of popular ballads
How do you write a ballad?
Here’s some advice on how to write a ballad.
Select a subject for your song.
Create a chord progression or a riff and record it.
- Next, sing a melody over the chords.
- Do this over and over until you have lots of melodic ideas.
- Then, when you choose which melodies to develop, use only the best-of-the-best.
When writing lyrics, make sure to establish the setting and the characters at the beginning of the song.
- This will make it easier for listeners to follow your story.
- Why? Because it creates a framework on which the audience can hang new information.
- Later verses will then dole out new events in your narrative.
Be sure to use good imagery.
- Show don’t tell.
- Integrate both literal and figurative imagery in your descriptions.
- Instead of writing passive imagery, use active imagery.
More lyric advice.
- Pick a rhyme scheme, such as ABCB or ABAB, which are typical rhyme schemes for this genre.
- Choose your point of view. Be sure to tell the story from a perspective that will best fit your main character.
- Use who, what, when, where, and why questions to flesh out your plot.
Don’t edit until you’ve finished your rough draft.
- If you do, you risk choking off the creative flow.
- After you’ve gotten your initial ideas down, you can go back and start editing.
- Get feedback from people you trust. This will help you improve your song.
There is no one all encompassing definition for a ballad, so don’t be afraid to branch out and experiment.
Final Thoughts on “What Exactly Is a Ballad and How Do You Write One?”
A ballad tells a tale through music:
- They’re often slow, romantic songs of love and heartbreak.
- However, despite this tendency, the topic selection is really wide open.
- Create good characters with a compelling story and a catchy tune, and you can’t go wrong.
Have fun writing!
Related Posts
- Writing Well Crafted Songs
- 17 Songwriting Ideas to Get You Unstuck
- How Do I Write a Song That Actually Sounds Good?
© 2024 Geoffrey Keith
Join me for online or in-person lessons today!
Glossary
Singing Rhythm Syllables in 12-8 Time
Does 12-8 time signature make your eyes cross? Confused about how rhythm syllables work in compound meters? The sing-along soundtrack below will help! Read more to learn about singing rhythm syllables in 12-8 time. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
Read More
How Do I Switch from Minor Key Shaped Notes to Standard Notation – Part 2
How do I switch from minor key shaped notes to standard notation?” Sight singing minor keys in standard notation can be challenging. Because it can be difficult to figure out if you’re in a major key or the relative minor. Read more to learn how to transition from shaped notes to standard notation for minor keys. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
Read More
Brainstorming Your Song Titles
Are you stuck in a rut like the guy in the picture above? Do you want to know how to come up with vivid and memorable titles? Most of the songwriting experts agree that you should first write your hook, which often ends up being paired with your title. This means you need your title at the beginning of the songwriting process. Read more to learn how to go about brainstorming your song titles. Estimated reading time 4 minutes.
Read More
How to Change Keys in Supplemented Equal Temperament
Have you tried retuning your synth, but gotten frustrated by the limited number of keys? Do you want your keyboard’s chords to sound stronger when playing brass, string, and organ sounds? Supplemented Equal Temperament (SET) is a new and powerful tuning system that allows your chords to sound stronger and more in tune. Kurzweil’s PC3K synth also makes it a breeze to switch keys while using SET. Read more to learn how to change keys in Supplemented Equal Temperament. Estimated reading time 7 minutes.
Read More