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
How Do Guitar Harmonics Work?
So, you play an open string, and it gives you one note. You play the harmonic over the 12th fret, and you get another note. You do the same thing over the 5th and 7th frets, and you get still more notes. However, they don’t relate to the frets at all. You scratch your head, wondering, “How do guitar harmonics work?” Don’t worry, you just need to understand how strings vibrate. Read more to answer the question, how do guitar harmonics work? Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
Read More
Ear Training Exercises for Harmonizing in Tune
Want to be able to sing like your favorite vocal group? Today we will get to the heart of our ear training exercises. Singing with the sing-along sound tracks fosters a cappella level vocal tuning. Also, the post talks about vocal air flow. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
Read More
What’s a Good Alternative to a Metronome for Practice Sessions?
Teachers, do you have students who can’t use a metronome and can’t keep a steady beat? We all know how valuable metronome practice can be. However, it can be tricky for students to sync with a metronome, and many students flat out refuse to work with them. Click to answer the question, “What’s a good alternative to a metronome for practice sessions?” Estimated reading time 2 minutes.
Read More
How Do You Sing Eastern European Vocal Harmony in 2nds by Ear?
Have you ever wondered how Eastern European vocalists sing polyphony in parallel 2nds? Do you want to know how world music works? Understanding world music involves stepping outside your own perspective and seeing from the world musician’s point of view instead. Click to answer the question, “How do you sing Eastern European vocal harmony in 2nds by ear?” Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
Read More