Songwriting with BandLab - A Beginner’s Guide

Before you can start making music you'll need to create a BandLab account. This should only take a few minutes. Follow the step by step video and make sure you make a note of any email, username and password you use.

Aim:

For students to understand the notion of song structure and to listen to a finished song identifying the different parts.

Learning Objectives:

Students should learn how to:

• Follow instructions

• Identify the various elements of a song - intro, chorus, verse etc

Skills covered in this video

1. Transport Controls

2. Audio Recording

3. Time Display

4. Changing Key

5. Tempo/Speed/BPM

Skills covered in this video

1. The metronome

2. Recording Count-in

Basic Skills and tasks covered in this video:

• Shorten a Loop

• Copy a Loop

• Paste a Loop

• Solo a Track

• Record a Vocal

• Slicing a Loop

• Moving and re-ordering Loops

Basic skills covered in this video:

Moving and Arranging Loops

Basic skills covered in this video:

• Cycle

• Solo

• Mute

• Volume

• Pan

BandLab is constantly improving, which is of course, a great thing, as it gets better and better. However, the downside is that sometimes they change the user interface. This means that some of the earlier videos represent that earlier iteration. So you will notice the reference to BandLab Updates in this video which is our way of drawing your attention to some of these changes that have occurred over time.

Check the updates in the downloadable resources area.

Basic skills covered in this video:

• Search

• Zoom

• Undo/Redo

• Duplicate Tracks

• Moving Tracks

• Changing Track Colours

• Renaming Tracks

In life, it's really important to make a good first impression. The same is true in music.

The aim is to create an exciting Introduction incorporating a build-up (Crescendo)

Bars 1-17 = 16 bars

Assignment Instructions

Listen to the example of an Introduction that runs from 0:00 - to 0:43 seconds.

Summary

16 bars long (Bars 1-17)

Your aim is to create an exciting Introduction incorporating a build-up (Crescendo)

Aim:

For students to construct a 16-bar Introduction to a song, practice the Basic Skills learned in the first chapter (if appropriate) and produce a gradual build-up (Crescendo).

Learning Objectives:

Students should learn how:

• a song is constructed

• to compose music within set constraints

• to compose an effective Introduction

• to create a crescendo effect

Assignment Instructions

Explore as many of BandLab's Loop Packs as you like. If you want to make a Hip Hop track for example you can easily sort them by genre.

There are some Loop Packs that are more suited to creating a structured song. Check out the diagram below to see the Packs which I recommend work well with this songwriting course. Ultimately, it's your choice and you must pick a pack that excites you and that you want to start your song with.

In this video, we suggest 5 categories that you might use to create your structured song.

Beats

Bass

Keyboards, Synths & Guitar

Melodies & Tunes

FX

Aims:

To identify sounds and group them into:

Beats

Bass

Keyboards, Synths & Guitar

Melodies & Tunes

FX

• Looking for families of samples

• Adding a new instrument every four bars

• Audition each new Sample with the sounds used so far

• Copying a Sample

• Creating a Crescendo - suggesting something exciting is about to happen

• Renaming a song

There’s something magical about good song lyrics. They’re relatable, or poignant, or they just really make you feel a certain way. We all know great lyrics when we hear them, but what exactly makes them so great? How do you write your own song lyrics that convey your message and help people connect with your music? In this article, we break down the songwriting process step-by-step, from getting inspiration to crafting the perfect lyrics to pairing your lyrics with music. Once you know the basics, you'll be ready to write a song whenever inspiration strikes.

This section helps develop the art of listening carefully, identifying sounds and grouping them appropriately

What's covered...

• Listen carefully and identify instruments and sounds

• Use the solo button

• Make decisions as to which category the sounds fit into

• Rename tracks

• Use the "Lyrics/Notes" tab to keep a record of the Loop Bank used and any other useful information

• Name your song

If you wish you can forward straight to the Chorus (0:43 - 1:04)

What's covered...

Summary - The Chorus

8 bars long - (Bars 17-25)

The Chorus is the most important part of the song.

• It should be catchy, so you can’t get it out of your head

• It should contain the main vocal, melody or tune

• It’s the part you want people to sing or hum

• It’s the part you want people to remember

Aim:

For students to create an 8-bar Chorus to a song that seamlessly follows the Introduction, practice the Basic Skills where appropriate and produce a catchy, memorable section of music.

Learning Objectives:

Students should learn how to:

• Identify the essential elements of a Chorus

• Analyse their favourite songs

• Listen carefully and choose Loops with discrimination

• Find variations or complementary rhythms

• Develop an understanding of chord progressions and harmony

• Construct a Chorus

Extension Tasks:

The Quizzes can be used as extension exercises

Start writing some lyrics for the Chorus in the "Lyrics/Notes" tab.

Read the chapter - “How to Write Song Lyrics”

Notes, Suggestions & Questions:

Ensure you know where to find your saved Introduction.

Understand the importance of the Chorus in a song.

What makes the Chorus the focal point of a song?

• It’s catchy

• It has the main vocal – It’s the bit you sing/recite

• It’s the bit you remember

• It has the best tune/melody

• It probably incorporates the name of the song

• It’s the bit that you can’t get out of your head

• It gets repeated many times during the song

Think about the songs that you know and love and how you create your Chorus.

What's covered...

The Chorus is the most important part of the song

• It should be catchy, so you can't get it out of your head

• It should contain the main vocal, melody or tune

• It's the part you want your audience to sing or hum

• It's the part you want them to remember

• It should fit with your introduction

If you are happy with your Chorus, this video isn't strictly necessary and you can go straight on to the next Chapter - "The Break".

However, in this video, I introduce the notion of Happy Accidents and demonstrate that when things wrong, as they did with my first attempt at a Chorus, it can actually work out for the best.

This video also introduces some creative ideas which can enhance any song.

To listen to the Break forward the video to (1:04 to 1:15)

What's covered...

Summary - The Break

4 bars long - (Bars 25 - 29)

The Break is a 4-bar section where we take umm... take a break from the Intro or the Chorus. We are aiming to create a contrast. We have put together a slow build-up (Intro), then a full-on Chorus. So we have reached a peak. We are now going to bring the song down before we start building it up again. That is the job of the break.

Aim:

For students to create a 4-bar Break to a song that creates a contrast, practice the Basic Skills and to further develop listening skills.

Learning Objectives:

Students should learn:

• What a Break is and how it is constructed

• How to create a contrast

• To compose music within set constraints

• How to use a minimalist approach

What's covered...

• Search function

• Loop/Sample families - sharing the same name

  
  

The Break

4 bars long

From Bars 25-29

Quieter and less exciting than the Chorus

3 or 4 Loops/Samples only

Can sound a little different from the Intro or Chorus

Check out the Downloadable materials below to see the recent changes that BandLab has made to the look and feel of the Mix Editor.

What's covered?

• Edit Loops/Samples

• Shorten a Loop/Sample

• Edit loudness using Volume Automation

• Edit stereo field using Panning Automation

BandLab Update Notice

BandLab has recently changed the look and feel of the Track Controls including the Automation. It is now slightly different from this original video but does the same thing. It now includes FX parameter automation which adds a whole new dimension to creative sound design. See Downloadable materials for details.

If you want to go straight to the Verse fast forward to (1:15 to 1: 36)

What's covered...

Summary - The Verse

8 bars long - (Bars 29-37)

The Verse is minimal. It does not have too many instruments.

• It should be less catchy than the Chorus.

• It should contain space for the Verse vocal.

• It should fit in with both the Intro and the Chorus and must not sound like an entirely different song.

  
  

Aim:

For students to construct an 8-bar Verse using a minimalist approach. To ensure that it builds up over time.

Learning Objectives:

Students should learn:

• What the purpose of a Verse is

• How a Verse is constructed

• How to blend the Verse in with the rest of the song

• How to compose with a limited range of instruments

• The value of a minimalist approach - Less is more!

What's covered...

• The Verse - Bars 29-37 = 8 bars long

• Adding a new instrument at Bar 33

You can forward the video straight to the Bridge if you wish (1:36 -1:47)

What's covered...

Summary - 4 bars long - (Bars 37-41)

As a bridge takes us from one bank of a river to the other so the Bridge in our song will take us from the Verse to the Chorus. So what do we want the Bridge to do? Well, it should:

• Prepare the listener for the Chorus.

• It should contain a “build-up” or “crescendo”.

• It should be short - 4 bars long.

Aim:

For students to construct a 4-bar Bridge and to develop skills to create a ”crescendo” effect.

Learning Objectives:

Students should learn how to:

• Identify the essential elements of a Bridge

• Understand the function of a Bridge in a song

• Create a Crescendo effect

• Construct a Bridge

What's covered...

• The Bridge should prepare the listener for the Chorus

• It should contain a "build-up" or "Crescendo"

• It should be 4 bars long (Optional)

• Bars 37-41

• Any new instrument Loops/Samples used should be added to their corresponding tracks

• Adding a "Riser" - a sound that rises in pitch or volume

• Keep it minimal

• Ensure the Verse, the Bridge and the Chorus sound like the same song

To watch and listen to the example second Chorus, fast forward the video to 1:47 - 2:07

What's covered...

The Chorus (2) Summary - 8 bars long - (Bars 41-49)

This should be a very quick task. However, it is important to proceed carefully so as to ensure that every Loop in the chorus has been selected, copied and then pasted to the right place. If you manage to do this correctly it should only take a couple of minutes.

Don’t worry if you go wrong as you can just click on "Undo" and try again.

Aim:

For students to copy the first Chorus and paste it after the Bridge at Bar 41.

Learning Objectives:

Students should learn how to:

• Carefully select multiple Loops

• Copy the selected Loops

• Paste the selected Loops to the correct part of the song - Bars 41-49

What's covered...

Please note that an official BandLab Update has changed what happens when you select a Sample/Loop. Instead of the waveform turning white a white line appears around the edge of the Sample.

• Accurately Copy & Paste the first Chorus

• Select multiple Samples by holding down "Shift"

• Use "Undo" if you make a mistake